UN MEMBERSHIP: Chen says China, not US, blocking referendum plan

The office even offered students between US$20 and US$75 as compensation, Kuo said.

In response, Minister of Foreign Affairs James Huang (黃志芳) confirmed that an office secretary had sent out messages to the students urging them to take part in the rally, but said that they were not offered money.

Huang said that promoting Taiwan's participation in the UN was a government policy and that the government held similar rallies or campaigns every year.

KMT RALLY

The KMT plans to hold its own rally this afternoon in Taichung to promote its proposed referendum on returning to the UN and other international organizations.

The rally will start at 4pm at 823 Park and march toward the Taichung Intercontinental Baseball Stadium, where a party is to be held until 9pm.

The KMT has created 10 floats for the rally featuring different themes to highlight civic problems, such as credit card debt and the suicide rate.

KMT presidential candidate Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九), party Chairman Wu Poh-hsiung (吳伯雄) and Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng (王金平) are scheduled to take part in the event.

Former KMT chairman Lien Chan (連戰) is not expected to attend the rally.

Additional reporting by Mo Yan-chih