Taiwan expressed regret yesterday after China rejected its bid to become a founding member of the Beijing-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), though China said Taiwan is welcome to join as an ordinary member in the future.

APPLE manufacturer Foxconn has reportedly urged its workers in southern China to promise in writing not to kill themselves as it battles to stem a spate of factory suicides.

China today adamantly rejected Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian’s call for peace talks between the island and the mainland, characterising his overture instead as a bid for independence that could lead to disaster.

HUNDREDS of Taiwanese protesters scuffled with riot police, threw eggs and broke windows yesterday as they stormed into the Central Election Commission’s headquarters, where officials certified the results of last weekend’s disputed presidential vote.

Hours after an assassination attempt against President Chen Shui-bian, Taiwanese started voting today in a hotly-contested election focused on the military threat from mainland China.