Chen bullish on regional security

DPP presidential candidate Chen Shui-bian (3?糮?/CHINESE>) said that the United States is aware that if he is elected as the country's next president, his administration will not only benefit Taiwan, but also help to ensure the safety and interests of nations in the Asia-Pacific region.

He was apparently responding to Stanley Roth, assistant secretary of state for East Asia and the Pacific, who said on Friday that "the United States will work with whoever wins Taiwan's March 18 presidential election and expects bilateral ties to remain strong in the future."

Chen's running mate, Annette Lu (呂秀蓮), added that she had heard that the Beijing authorities have already given up their interference with Taiwan's presidential election in March, and Chinese would like to learn from Taiwan's democracy.

"The Beijing government will listen very respectfully to the middle way (??間路線) that Chen is bringing forward," said Lu.

Yesterday, Chen and Lu were in Pingtung County at a rally attended by Hakka supporters.

Chen drew enthusiastic cheers by delivering a speech in Mandarin peppered with some phrases in Hakka. During the speech, he promised that he would respect the pride and the living space of the Hakka people by establishing a special commission to deal with Hakka affairs. Chen also said he will establish a Hakka cultural park to help Hakka preserve their cultural traits.