DATE=3/18/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=TAIWAN - CHEN WINS (S)
NUMBER=2-260314
BYLINE=ROGER WILKISON
DATELINE=TAIPEI
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Opposition candidate Chen Shui-bian of the
Democratic Progressive Party has been elected
president of Taiwan. VOA correspondent Roger Wilkison
reports voters seem to have defied China's warning
that they spurn Mr. Chen, whom Beijing regards as an
advocate of independence for the island.
TEXT: With over 80 percent of the vote tabulated,
Mr. Chen is leading independent candidate James Soong,
who polled 37 per cent, and is far ahead of ruling
Nationalist Party candidate Lien Chan, with 23
percent.
Mr. Chen's victory means that the Nationalist Party
has been ousted from power after 51 years of rule.
But the Nationalists still control the legislature,
and that could make it difficult for Mr. Chen to get
approval of his policies.
Taiwanese voters appear to have ignored China's
warning that they not choose Mr. Chen as their new
president. Although his party platform advocates
formal independence for the island, Mr. Chen has
backed away from that stance and has offered to go to
Beijing before his inauguration in May to negotiate
with Chinese leaders. China regards Taiwan as a
wayward province that must be reunited with the
mainland. (signed)
NEB/RW/PLM
18-Mar-2000 06:53 AM EDT (18-Mar-2000 1153 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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