Taiwan Government Rejected a Recount

The Taiwanese government refused the opposition party’s demand for an immediate recount. In response to this, the opposition party vowed to go on protests, which might lead to possible long-term chaos.

Lien Chan, the Kuomintang’s candidate at the protests on Sunday, reiterated, “Votes should be immediately recounted. And an investigation team of domestic and foreign experts to look into the assassination attempt on the president.”

“The protesters should disband as Taiwan’s High Court decides whether a recount will be done,” urged Yu Shyi-kun, premier of the Executive Yuan of the Republic of China. The judicial authorities also dismissed the KMT’s demand for foreign experts’ involvement in the investigation in its statement.

“We vow to protest with our supporters until the votes are recounted,” said Chou Shou-tsun, the KMT spokesperson at a press conference.

Tens of thousands of opposition supporters stood in front of the presidential office demanding Chen Shui-bian’s resignation and an immediate recount.

“We will intervene with NT$ 100 billion National Stabilization Fund only if the market moves irrationally,” said a Taiwanese authority with the plunge of the stock market due to the political deadlock.

Meanwhile, China ordered a military alert in case Taiwan’s turmoil worsens, reported Hong Kong’s South China Morning Post.

Yoo-Seong Hwang yshwang@donga.com