Taiwan’s President Chen Shui-bian said today he would not shut the door on eventual unification with China if Beijing expressed goodwill.

TAIWAN’S political turmoil showed few signs of letting up yesterday as the island’s two biggest political parties squabbled about how to do a speedy vote recount for last weekend’s disputed presidential election.

Taiwan’s political turmoil showed few signs of abating today as the island’s two major parties disagreed about how to carry out a speedy vote recount of the disputed presidential election.

Taiwan’s ruling party claimed President Chen Shui-bian won a tight election today, just 24 hours after he survived an assassination attempt.

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.

Taiwanese linked hands to form a human chain the length of the island today, as President Chen Shui-bian urged the protesters to oppose China’s military threats and create the “Great Wall of Taiwan’s democracy”.

With fireworks, prayers and lion dances, millions across Asia on Saturday welcomed in the Lunar New Year – the biggest holiday for Chinese communities worldwide.

TAIWAN has scrapped planned war games as part of efforts to defuse tensions with China, but Beijing has told President Chen Shui-bian he may risk attack if he presses ahead with a referendum on independence.