One China Issue

Chen Shui-bian and Embezzlement Charges

Polls

Survey on New Cabinet, Verdict on Former President Chen Shui-bian’s Cases, and President Ma Ying-jeou’s Approval Rating (GVSRC, Sep. 23, 2009) President Ma Ying-jeou’s approval rating is 28.3 percent and disapproval rating is 59.6 percent this month.

Ex-President Gets 18 Years
(AP, Oct. 14, 2011) Former President Chen Shui-bian was sentenced Thursday to 18 years in prison, on top of the 17 years he is already serving for corruption.

DPP Officials Found Not Guilty of Embezzlement
(Taipei Times, Aug. 31, 2011) The Taipei District Court found former NSC secretary-general Chiou I-jen and former deputy foreign minister Michael Kau not guilty of embezzling diplomatic funds during former president Chen Shui-bian’s term in office.

Chen Transferred to Penitentiary
(Taipei Times, Dec. 3, 2010) Former president Chen Shui-bian was moved from a detention center to a nearby penitentiary to formally begin serving his sentence.

Chen, Wife Get 11 Years for Land Deal
(Taipei Times, Nov. 12, 2010) Former president Chen Shui-bian is set to stay in prison for at least 11 years after the Supreme Court upheld a bribery conviction in a land purchase scandal.

Chen Cleared of NT$610 Mil. Bribery Charges
(China Post, Nov. 5, 2010) Former President Chen Shui-bian was acquitted of corruption charges for taking NT$610 million from two financial holding companies, a district court ruled.

Taiwan Court Extends Former President’s Detention
(AFP, Oct. 8, 2010) Taiwan's High Court ruled on Friday that former president Chen Shui-bian should be held in custody for another two months while he appeals a 20-year jail term for graft.

Chen’s Sentence Cut to 20 Years
(Taipei Times, Jun. 12, 2010) Sentences and fines were reduced for former president Chen Shui-bian, his wife and six other defendants, and the Supreme Court will hear Chen’s final appeal.

Taipei Court Finds Chen Not Guilty of Embezzling Funds
(CNA, Jun. 9, 2010) The Taipei District Court ruled that former President Chen Shui-bian was not guilty of embezzling funds that were earmarked for diplomatic missions.

Swiss Banks Begin Remitting Money from Chen Accounts
(Taipei Times, May 23, 2010) Former president Chen Shui-bian’s lawyer said a Swiss bank had remitted US$1 million from the Chen family’s frozen NT$700 million (US$21 million) in Swiss bank accounts to a Taiwanese prosecutors’ account.

High Court Extend Chen’s Detention to Two Months
(China Post, Apr. 17, 2010) Former President Chen Shui-bian's detention will be extended for two months, a high court determined.

Ex-President Chen Shui-bian Indicted Again
(China Post, Feb. 3, 2010) Former President, Chen Shui-bian, who has been convicted on corruption charges, was indicted again on charges of abetting his subordinates to give false testimony.

Chen Family, 19 Others Indicted Again for Corruption, Money Laundering (China Post, Dec. 25, 2009) Former President, Chen Shui-bian, and his three immediate family members were indicted again on charges of corruption and money laundering.

Taiwan Court Upholds Ex-president’s Detention
(AP, Oct. 8, 2009) Taiwan's High Court upheld its earlier decision to keep former President Chen Shui-bian in detention after the Supreme Court ordered it to hold a hearing on the matter.

Taiwan High Court Continues Chen’s Detention
(AP, Sep. 25, 2009) Taiwan's High Court has ruled that former President Chen Shui-bian should remain in detention while appealing a lower court's life imprisonment sentence on wide-ranging corruption charges.

Chen Case Testing Taiwan’s Democracy: Analysts
(AFP, Sep. 15, 2009) The trial of Taiwan's former president Chen Shui-bian was also a test of its young democracy, and it passed with only average grades, long-time observers of the island said.

Life Sentence for Taiwan Ex-President
(New York Times, Sep. 12, 2009) Chen Shui-bian, the former president of Taiwan who had been on trial since March on corruption charges, was convicted and sentenced to life in prison by a three-judge panel.

Chen Should Be Released during Appeal: Ma’s Mentor
(Taipei Times, Sep. 12, 2009) If former president Chen Shui-bian appeals, US legal expert Jerome Cohen said, he would prefer to see Chen released, as it would be difficult for Chen to build a case while in detention.

Taiwan Court Convicts Former First Lady of Perjury
(AP, Sep. 2, 2009) A court has sentenced Taiwan's former first lady to a year in jail for giving false testimony in a wide-ranging corruption case involving her and her husband.

Chen’s Son, Huang Plead Guilty
(Taipei Times, Aug. 5, 2009) Former president Chen Shui-bian’s son Chen Chih-chung and daughter-in-law Huang Jui-ching pleaded guilty to the charges against them, but prosecutors did not request that the two enter plea-negotiations.

Court to Hand Down Verdicts on Ex-First Couple on Sept. 11
(China Post, Jul. 25, 2009) Presiding judge Tsai Shou-hsun will hand down verdicts on all four cases involving former President Chen Shui-bian and his wife on Sept. 11.

Prosecutors Indict Three Members of Chen Family
(Taipei Times, Jul. 18, 2009) The Taipei District Prosecutors’ Office indicted three members of detained former president Chen Shui-bian’s family on charges relating to the former leader’s corruption trial.

Chen’s Detention Extended Two Months
(Taipei Times, Jul. 14, 2009) The court said Chen had ‘interfered’ with the case by talking to the public through his visitors, proving that he could still exert influence on the judiciary.

DPP Chair Launches Drive for Ex-President’s Release
(CNA, Jun. 26, 2009) Opposition Democratic Progressive Party Chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen joined a group of academics and social activists to initiate a drive calling for an end to what they argue is the “unjustified detention” of former President Chen Shui-bian.

Chen Daughter, Son Admit to Perjury
(Taipei Times, Jun. 23, 2009) The daughter and son of former president Chen Shui-bian admitted in court to giving false testimony about the family’s alleged money laundering.

DPP to Reveal Plan to Assist Former President Chen
(Taipei Times, Jun. 22, 2009) The Democratic Progressive Party will soon release a plan to assist former president Chen Shui-bian with his ongoing court case, a party official said.

Chen Shui-bian Dismisses Defense Lawyers
(China Post, May 22, 2009) Former President Chen Shui-bian dismissed his three defense attorneys again at a Taipei district court hearing, charging presiding judge with illegally trying him for forgery, corruption and money laundering.

Ex-President Denied Release, Ordered to Remain in Jail
(China Post, May 12, 2009) Taipei district court turned down former President Chen Shui-bian's request for release from detention, ordering him to remain behind bars for another two months after May 26.

Chen Hospitalized after Hunger Strike
(China Post, May 10, 2009) Former President Chen Shui-bian was hospitalized yesterday after going on a hunger strike in jail for three days.

Ex-President Chen Returned to Detention Center
(China Post, May 8, 2009) Former President Chen Shui-bian, ordered back to detention, started another hunger strike yesterday, claiming he was being politically persecuted.

Former Taiwan President Indicted on New Charges
(AP, May 5, 2009) Former Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian was indicted on new graft charges as his high-profile corruption trial continued into its second month.

Joint Working Group Investigates Military ‘Promotion-Buying’
(China Post, Apr. 21, 2009) Special Counsel prosecutors and Judge Advocate General personnel form the group that will investigate whether former President Chen Shui-bian may be involved in selling promotion to generals and admirals.

Ex-Gov’t Officials Indicted for Leaking Data to Chen
(China Post, Apr. 11, 2009) Former Defense Minister Ko Cheng-heng and ex-director of the Investigation Bureau Yeh Sheng-mao are charged for passing on to Chen classified information concerning the probe into the ex-leader's alleged crimes.

Taiwan’s Former President Goes on Trial for Corruption By Michael Wines (New York Times, Mar. 27, 2009) Mr. Chen has maintained the charges are a plot by Taiwan’s current president, Ma Ying-jeou, to win favor with China’s government.

Wu Admits Bookkeeper Gave Her Money from State Fund
(China Post, Mar. 18, 2009) Former first lady Wu Shu-chen admitted in court her husband's bookkeeper Chen Chen-hui had given her part of the “state affairs” fund but denied any private use of the funds.

Taiwan’s Ex-Leader Back in Court on Graft Charges
(AFP, Feb. 24, 2009) Taiwan's ex-president Chen Shui-bian returned to court on corruption allegations, less than two weeks after his wife pleaded guilty to money laundering and forgery in the same case.

Former First Lady of Taiwan Admits Laundering $2.2 Million
(AP, Feb. 11, 2009) Taiwan’s former first lady admitted Tuesday that she had laundered $2.2 million and forged documents.

Chen’s Former Aide Admits to Forgery
(Taipei Times, Feb. 5, 2009) A former aide of detained former president Chen Shui-bian pleaded guilty in court to some of the charges against her in cases of alleged corruption and money laundering involving the former first family.

Ex-President’s Son Pleads Guilty
(China Post, Jan. 22, 2009) Former President Chen Shui-bian's son, daughter-in-law, and brother-in-law all pleaded guilty to engaging in money laundering operations during a Taipei District Court hearing.

UK Shows Concern about Taiwanese Judicial Impartiality
(Taipei Times, Jan. 20, 2009) The UK is concerned about judicial impartiality in the ongoing corruption case against former president Chen Shui-bian, but expressed confidence that President Ma Ying-jeou was actively working toward the interests of Taiwan.

Mentor Urges Taiwan’s Ma to Ensure Trial Fairness
(AP, Jan. 18, 2009) The Harvard Law School mentor of Taiwan's President Ma Ying-jeou said that his former student needs to urgently act to prevent an "increasingly disturbing circus atmosphere" from prejudicing his predecessor's right to a fair trial.

Pre-Trial Hearings Open for Former Pres. Chen’s Case on January 19 (China Post, Jan. 6, 2008) The Taipei district court will start pre-trial hearings of former President Chen Shui-bian's graft and money laundering case on January 19.

Indicted Taiwan Ex-President Returns to Jail
(Reuters, Dec. 29, 2008) Former Taiwan president and anti-China firebrand Chen Shui-bian was sent back to jail on Tuesday because of the severity of the graft charges against him, a court spokesman said.

Ex-leader Lee Faces Probe
(China Post, Dec. 27, 2008) Prosecutors of the Special Investigation Division of the Supreme Prosecutor Office confirmed they would investigate the alleged involvement of suspected money laundering operations involving former President Lee.

Taipei District Court Frees Ex-president without Bail
(Taipei Times, Dec. 14, 2008) Former president Chen Shui-bian was released from detention at around 1:20am yesterday after a four-hour hearing.

Ex-President of Taiwan Is Indicted
(New York Times, Dec. 13, 2008) Chen Shui-bian, who served eight years as president of Taiwan, was indicted Friday on corruption charges, making him the first former president of the island to face criminal prosecution.

Ex-IB Chief Gets 10 Years
(China Post, Dec. 5, 2008) Taipei district court judges convicted Yeh Sheng-mao, Taiwan’s former top corruption fighter, of security compromise and sentenced him to ten years in prison.

Taiwan Ex-First Lady Denies Stashing 22 Million Dollars
(AFP, Nov. 29, 2008) The wife of former Tawianese president Chen Shui-bian has denied that she had stashed 22 million US dollars in a local firm in the latest development in a graft scandal implicating her family.

Taiwan’s Detained Ex-Leader Resumes Eating
(AFP, Nov. 27, 2008) Taiwan's detained former president Chen Shui-bian resumed eating Thursday, officials said, two weeks after he began a hunger strike to protest at what he claims is a witch hunt.

Several Thousands Rally in Support of Taiwan’s Chen
(AP, Nov. 22, 2008) Several thousand demonstrators waved flags and chanted in Taiwan's capital to protest the detention of former President Chen Shui-bian on graft allegations.

Former President of Taiwan in Hospital After Hunger Strike
(AP, Nov. 16, 2008) Former President Chen Shui-bian was taken from his jail cell to a hospital when a doctor found he had an irregular heartbeat after a five-day hunger strike, a prison official said.

Chen Starts Undeclared Hunger Strike
(China Post, Nov. 14, 2008) Former President Chen Shui-bian has started his undeclared hunger strike at the Taipei detention house at Tucheng.

Taiwan’s Chen Won’t Appeal His Detention
(Washington Post, Nov. 13, 2008) Former Taiwanese president Chen Shui-bian, a passionate advocate of independence from China who has been imprisoned on suspicion of corruption, said he would not appeal his detention, amid reports that he may be on a hunger strike.

Taiwan Detains Chen on Suspicion of Money Laundering
(Bloomberg, Nov. 12, 2008) Former Taiwanese President Chen Shui- bian was detained by prosecutors after they won court approval to hold him on suspicion of money-laundering, accepting bribes and embezzlement during his eight years in office.

Another Chen Aide Detained in Fund Case
(China Post, Nov. 5, 2008) Prosecutors of the Special Investigation Division won court permission to detain Ma Yung-cheng, former deputy presidential secretary general, for his alleged role in the embezzlement of public funds.

Taiwan’s Ex-Vice PM Detained on Alleged Embezzlement
(AFP, Oct. 31, 2008) A former Taiwanese vice premier and senior member of the opposition Democratic Progressive Party has been arrested on graft charges, in the latest scandal to hit the party.

Chen-Related Firms Targeted
(China Post, Oct. 18, 2008) Prosecutors searched over a dozen of places, including three financialholding companies, in expanded investigation of gathering evidence involving the alleged money laundering operations of the family of former President Chen Shui-bian.

Ex-MJIB Chief Arrested in Court
(China Post, Oct. 7, 2008) A former head of the Ministry of Justice Investigation Bureau was arrested in court yesterday on charges of "profiting" former President Chen Shui-bian, under investigation for money laundering.

Chen Aide Arrested for Fraud, Embezzlement
(China Post, Oct. 5, 2008) A close aide of ex-President Chen Shui-bian has been taken into custody in connection with a probe into corruption allegations against the former national leader.

Ex-president’s House, Office Raided Again
(China Post, Sep. 26, 2008) Prosecutors of an anti-corruption task force again searched former President Chen Shui-bian’s residence in Taipei, to gather potential evidence of his alleged involvement in suspected corruption and money-laundering operations.

Singapore Hands over Ex-1st Family Account Info
(China Post, Sep. 21, 2008) The Special Criminal Investigation Task Force under the Supreme Prosecutor Office yesterday confirmed receiving detailed data of Singapore deposit accounts in connection with the alleged money laundering case involving family members of former President Chen Shui-bian.

Former First Lady Wu to Appear in Court
(China Post, Sep. 18, 2008) Former first lady Wu Shu-chen is scheduled to attend a trial tomorrow on corruption charges over the use of ex-President Chen Shui-bian's special presidential expense.

Former Security Chief Admits Coverup in Money-Laundering Probe (DPA, Sep. 2, 2008) Taiwan's former security chief admitted Tuesday to giving former president Chen Shui-bian two sensitive documents concerning alleged money-laundering implicating Chen's family.

Taiwan’s Ex-Security Chief Accused of Hiding Presidential Cash Scheme By Jane Rickards (Washington Post, Aug. 29, 2008) Taiwan's former security chief was indicted Thursday for allegedly covering up suspected money-laundering activities by former president Chen Shui-bian and his family.

Taiwan Investigates Alleged Money Laundering
(AP, Aug. 25, 2008) Former Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian's son and daughter-in-law returned home Monday from the United States, insisting they are innocent of any criminal role in an alleged money laundering scandal involving their family.

Taiwan Ex-Vice PM Questioned over Money Laundering Claims
(AFP, Aug. 24, 2008) A former Taiwanese vice premier was questioned yesterday as part of an investigation into money laundering claims against former president Chen Shui-bian and his family, a prosecutor said.

Former President Denies Allegations
(China Post, Aug. 23, 2008) Former president Chen Shui-bian dismissed allegations yesterday that sums found in their overseas bank accounts came from bribes connected to financial reforms his administration had championed.

Taiwan’s Ex-top Intelligence Chief to be Grilled for Alleged Cover-up (AFP, Aug. 18, 2008) Taiwan's former top intelligence chief is facing a probe into the alleged money-laundering scandal implicating former president Chen Shui-bian and his family, officials said Monday.

Prosecutors Seek Return of Money from Switzerland
(China Post, Aug. 18, 2008) Prosecutor Ching Chi-jen of the Taipei District Prosecutor Office said she also expressed hopes that prosecution units of Taiwan and Switzerland could cooperate to build bilateral channels for legal assistance to each other.

Former President Leaves DPP amid Party’s Anger
(Taiwan News, Aug. 16, 2008) Former President Chen Shui-bian announced he was putting an end to membership in the Democratic Progressive Party after angry reactions from the rank-and-file following his admission that his wife had wired election funds overseas.

Chen Apologizes for Hiding Funds
(China Post, Aug. 15, 2008) Former President Chen Shui-bian made a public apology yesterday for keeping huge secret funds in bank accounts abroad.

Chen Battles Graft Allegations
(China Post, Aug. 13, 2008) Former President Chen Shui-bian put up a defense for his alleged embezzling public fund when answering questions from three prosecutors on the special criminal investigation division.

Questioning of Ex-President Confirmed by Prosecutor
(China Post, Aug. 11, 2008) The Supreme Prosecutor Office confirmed that ex-President Chen Shui-bian was questioned in late July over his alleged misuse of presidential state affairs expense funds.

Ma to Declassify All Chen’s Documents
(China Post, Aug. 7, 2008) President Ma Ying-jeou has decided to declassify all documents and materials involved an investigation of his predecessor Chen Shui-bian for corruption.

President Chen Defends Accused Wife on CNN
(AFP, Jan. 28, 2007) "I'd like to say that these cases are not as simple as they seem -- the judicial cases. They are actually political cases... Maybe we could call it a growing pain on our road to democracy," Chen told CNN.

Taiwan's President Asks Constitutional Court to Stop Wife's Embezzlement Trial (AP, Jan. 26, 2007) Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian asked the island's top constitutional body on Thursday to stop his wife's embezzlement trial because it would lead to the publication of state secrets, the Presidential Office said.

Chen Aides Fined over Court Absence
(China Post, Jan. 20, 2007) The Taipei District Court fined five officials of the Presidential Office, including President Chen Shui-bian's chief of staff NT$30,000 each for failing to testify at the court as witnesses in the trial on First lady Wu Shu-chen's alleged scams concerning the misappropriations of the presidential "state affairs" fund.

Taiwan Leader's Wife Again Absent from Own Trial
(AFP, Dec. 29, 2006) The wife of Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian was again absent from court as her trial on corruption charges continued following her collapse earlier this month at the start of proceedings.

Taiwan Chen's Son-In-Law Sentenced to Prison on Insider Trading (Bloomberg, Dec. 27, 2006) Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian's son- in-law, Chao Chien-ming, was sentenced to six years in prison after he was found guilty of violating laws against insider trading. He was fined NT$30 million ($918,000).

First Lady Trial Judge Rules Trial to Proceed
(China Post, Dec. 23, 2006) The trial of first lady Wu Shu-chen's embezzlement case is constitutional and will go on, the presiding judge ruled. "There's nothing unconstitutional about the proceeding, and therefore the trial should go on, and I will not accept any appeal," said the judge.

Taiwan Leader's Ailing Wife Absent as Trial Continues
(AFP, Dec. 22, 2006) The wife of Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian has not appeared in court as her trial on corruption charges continued, officials said, following her collapse last week at the start of proceedings.

Taiwanese First Lady Passes Out at Trial
(AP, Dec. 15, 2006) Taiwan's wheelchair-bound first lady passed out during the first session of her embezzlement and forgery trail, and she was taken immediately to a hospital.

Chen's Former Aide Gets 12 Years for Graft
(AP, Dec. 14, 2006) A former top aide of Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian was jailed for 12 years yesterday on charges of accepting bribes from a businessman, the Taipei District Court said.

Taiwan's Ruling Party Suspends Chen's Wife
(AP, Dec. 1, 2006) Taiwan's ruling party decided to suspend President Chen Shui-bian's wife, weeks after prosecutors indicted her on charges of embezzlement. Wu Shu-chen will be suspe.nded from the Democratic Progressive Party for 18 months.

Taiwan Leader Survives in Vote
(Washington Post, Nov 25, 2006) President Chen Shui-bian easily survived an impeachment vote in Taiwan's legislature. But his mandate has been seriously undermined by the corruption indictment against his wife.

Bid to Recall Taiwanese President Fails
(AP, Nov. 24, 2006) Taiwanese lawmakers failed to pass an opposition-backed motion that would have referred the recall of President Chen Shui-bian to the island's voters. The motion fell 28 votes short of the required two-thirds majority in Taiwan's 218-seat Legislature.

DPP Boycotts Review of Recall Motion
(Taiwan News, Nov. 23, 2006) Opposition lawmakers and experts yesterday insisted on the need to oust President Chen Shui-bian. Chen refused to defend himself and pan-green lawmakers boycotted the procedure.

DDP Lawmakers Quit over Chen Scandal
(AFP, Nov. 13, 2006) Two heavyweight lawmakers from the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) have quit parliament in a surprise protest at the way their party handled corruption allegations against President Chen Shui-bian.

Chen Plays Down Lee's Call for Him to Consider Stepping Down
(China Post, Nov. 11, 2006) According to a brief statement from the Presidential Office, Chen appreciated Lee's advice, and thought that it was only a minor matter concerning his personal career.

Lee Yuan-tseh Urges Chen to Consider Quitting
(CNA, Nov. 10, 2006) The ruling Democratic Progressive Party was shocked by a public call by Nobel laureate and former Academia Sinica President Lee Yuan-tseh for President Chen Shui-bian to carefully consider whether he should tender his resignation to safeguard Taiwan's democracy.

DPP to Expel Dissidents: Ker
(China Post, Nov. 8, 2006) Ker Chien-min, the ruling Democratic Progressive Party legislative caucus whip, is threatening to kick out members who dare to suggest that President Chen Shui-bian and his wife be disciplined.

Taiwan President Rips Prosecutors
(AP, Nov. 8, 2006) Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian said that prosecutors who have indicted his wife on embezzlement charges are unfairly making links between a secret diplomatic fund and corruption, saying none of the money "entered private pockets."

Taiwan Opposition Lines Up 3rd Bid to Oust President
(Reuters, Nov. 7, 2006) Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian's opponents accused him of trying to buy time with his denial of corruption allegations, while opposition lawmakers made plans for another parliamentary motion to oust him.

Taiwanese President Denies He Stole Funds
(Washington Post, Nov. 6, 2006) Responding to the prosecutor's allegation that Chen was also involved in the corruption, the president said he did not steal any money but could not explain what happened to the funds in question because they went to finance "secret diplomatic work."

Chen Vows to Quit If Wife's Found Guilty of Corruption
(Straits Times, Nov. 6, 2006) Scandal-tainted Taiwanese leader Chen Shui-bian yesterday vowed to step down if his wife is found guilty of corruption, in a last-ditch attempt to prove his innocence. But observers described his pledge as a delaying tactic because legal proceedings in this case could take more than a year.

Taiwan Leader Pledges Response to Allegations
(Washington Post, Nov. 5, 2006) With pressure building for his immediate resignation, President Chen Shui-bian pledged Saturday to respond within two days to prosecutors' allegations that he and his wife cooperated to embezzle hundreds of thousands of dollars from a diplomatic slush fund.

DPP Legislators Silent on Indictment
(Taipei Times, Nov. 5, 2006) Weighed down by the indictment of first lady Wu Shu-jen for alleged corruption, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) headquarters and caucus remained quiet and appeared to be in low spirits.

President Chen Should Go for Taiwan, People's Sake, Ma Says
(China Post, Nov. 4, 2006) Chairman Ma Ying-jeou of the main opposition Kuomintang (KMT) yesterday renewed the call for the immediate resignation of President Chen Shui-bian following the formal indictment of the first lady and listed the president a defendant for alleged corruption and forgery.

Wife of Taiwanese President Faces Embezzlement Charges
(Washington Post, Nov. 4, 2006;) The office of Taiwan's chief prosecutor announced that President Chen Shui-bian's wife is being indicted on embezzlement and forgery charges, and said Chen himself is suspected of corruption but cannot be indicted because of presidential immunity.

Taiwan President's Wife Indicted for Corruption
(Reuters, Nov. 3, 2006) Taiwan prosecutors indicted the wife of President Chen Shui-bian on corruption charges, and said Chen himself might also have committed offences but could not be prosecuted while in office.

KMT, PFP Chairmen Meet up to Discuss Strategy to No Avail
(Taipei Times, Oct. 15, 2006) Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairman Ma Ying-jeou and People First Party (PFP) Chairman James Soong met to discuss pan-blue strategy, but without reaching agreement after two hours.

Taiwan's Chen Survives Lawmakers' Second Attempt to Oust Him (Bloomberg, Oct. 13, 2006) Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian survived parliamentary vote to oust him, the second in four months, after opposition lawmakers failed to muster the two- thirds majority they needed.

Taiwan President Slams Ouster Bill Amid Protests
(Reuters, Oct. 11, 2006) Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian slammed a legislative proposal that seeks to oust him from power as tens of thousands took to the streets calling on him to step down over allegations of graft.

Taiwan's Chen Calls for Unity as Opponents Demand His Resignation
(AFP, Oct. 10, 2006) Taiwan's President Chen Shui-bian used his national day speech to pledge his commitment to democracy and appeal for national unity as hundreds of thousands of demonstrators gathered nearby to demand his resignation.

Vouchers Probe Against Chen's Wife Abandoned
(Straits Times, Oct. 3, 2006) Wrapping up the case after more than two years of investigation, prosecutors said they found no proof of wrongdoing even though Mr Chen's family had used some NT$270,000 worth of Sogo vouchers. But first lady could be named in another probe into misuse of diplomatic funds.

Protesters Enter Southern Taiwan
(China Post, Oct. 2, 2006) Anti-corruption protesters and the convoy led by former Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Chairman Shih Ming-teh held a mass rally in Yunlin County against the strong opposition of local officials supporting President Chen Shui-bian in southern Taiwan.

Taiwan Lawmakers Vote to Proceed With Second Chen Recall Motion (Bloomberg, Sep. 29, 2006) Taiwan's parliament today agreed to proceed with a second recall motion to oust President Chen Shui- bian after the opposition People First Party gathered sufficient support earlier this week to propose a vote.

Anti-Corruption Convoy to Begin Islandwide Tour
(CNA, Sep. 28, 2006) A nationwide anti-graft campaign will organize a round-the-island convoy against President Chen Shui-bian, starting in northern Hsinchu City, a spokesman for the activity said.

Su's 'Roundtable' Shot Down; No Meeting Plans
(China Post, Sep. 28, 2006) Premier Sun Tseng-chang's master plan to organize a party summit roundtable has been shot down before it could have a chance to take off.

Su Wants Party Leaders to Meet
(China Post, Sep. 26, 2006) Premier Su Tseng-chang is calling for a meeting of all political party leaders to discuss how to solve the current crisis in a surprise move that shocked President Chen Shui-bian.

Taiwan's Opposition Proposes Referendum to Recall Embattled President (AP, Sep. 25, 2006) The leader of Taiwan's main opposition party called on the ruling party to support a renewed initiative to hold an island-wide referendum on ousting President Chen Shui-bian over allegations of corruption in his inner circle.

Anti-Chen Protesters Rally in Central Taiwan
(AFP, Sep. 24, 2006) Thousands of protesters rallied in central Taiwan on amid heightened security as a campaign continues to push for the ousting of embattled President Chen Shui-bian.

KMT Plans to Introduce New Recall Motion
(Taipei Times, Sep 21, 2006) Promoting a second recall motion in the Legislative Yuan and letting voters decide the future of the president in a referendum will be a victory for all Taiwanese, KMT Chairman Ma Ying-jeou said.

Protest in Taiwan Turns Violent
(AFP, Sep. 19, 2006) A protest at Taiwan's southern Kaohsiung city turned violent when hundreds of people in support of President Chen Shui-bian clashed with a small group of anti-Chen campaigners, it was reported.

Anti-Chen Campaign Concentrates on Taipei
(AFP, Sep. 18, 2006) Up to 3,000 protestors continued to push for the ousting of embattled President Chen Shui-bian, but organizers said they had scrapped plans to take their campaign to other parts of the island.

Thousands of Chen Supporters Rally
(AP, Sep. 17, 2006) Tens of thousands of supporters of President Chen Shui-bian rallied in downtown Taipei, a day after opponents marched en masse to pressure the national leader to resign over a series of alleged corruption scandals.

Taiwan Protesters Fill Streets for Anti-Chen Rally
(Agence France Presse, Sep. 16, 2006) At least 300,000 Taiwanese protesters thronged the streets of Taipei to vent their anger at President Chen Shui-bian. The demonstrators, many of them dressed in the trademark red of a round-the-clock campaign now in its seventh day, marched 5.5 kilometers in the pouring rain, encircling Chen's office and nearby residence.

Three Top DPP Leaders to Miss Pro-Chen Rally
(China Post, Sep. 15, 2006) Three top leaders of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) have decided not to attend a mass rally sponsored by the pro-independence Taiwan Society in Taipei to lend support to embattled President Chen Shui-bian.

Taiwan Protesters May Call Strike If Sit-In Fails
(Straits Times, Sep. 15, 2006) Speculation has been rife in recent days that leaders of the anti-Chen campaign may organize the island's first political strike next month to step up the pressure on the scandal-tainted President.

Taiwan Protestors to "Besiege" President's Office
(AFP, Sep. 13, 2006) The leaders of Taiwan's campaign to oust embattled President Chen Shui-bian pledged not to back down, unveiling plans for another huge rally as a first protest stretched into a fourth day.

Taiwanese Protest Numbers Fall as Campaign Continues
(AFP, Sep. 11, 2006) Hundreds of Taiwanese demonstrators chanted slogans demanding President Chen Shui-bian resign as they continued their round-the-clock campaign to force the embattled leader from office.

Protesters Call On Taiwan's Leader to Quit
(Washington Post, Sept. 10, 2006) Tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets of Taiwan's capital demanding the resignation of President Chen Shui-bian, whose family members and close aides have been embroiled in a string of corruption scandals.

Taiwan Opposition Leader Calls on Ruling Party to Help Oust President as Protest Nears (AP, Sep. 9, 2006) In an open letter published in leading Taiwanese newspapers, the opposition Kuomintang chief Ma Ying-jeou said the DPP should not become "an accomplice to corruption."

Independence Seekers Rally for Taiwan Republic
(China Post, Sep. 9, 2006) Several thousands activists seeking Taiwan independence held a rally near the Presidential Office to raise the "national flag" of the "Republic of Taiwan." When delivering his speech, DPP Chairman Yu Shyi-kun led the crowd to shout slogans backing the Taiwan republic.

Taiwan President Questioned in August over Misuse of Funds
(AFP, Sep. 7, 2006) Embattled Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian was questioned by prosecutors last month over his alleged misuse of funds and again denied any wrongdoing, his office has said.

Defiant Chen: I Am Not Corrupt
(AP, Sep. 6, 2006) Days ahead of a mass protest to unseat him, Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian has said that he is innocent of corruption in an alleged scandal over secret diplomatic funds.

Taiwanese Leader Begins Pacific Tour in Palau
(AFP, Sep. 4, 2006) Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian arrived in Palau. It is the first leg of a four-day Pacific island tour that Mr Chen's opponents say is aimed at drawing attention away from calls for his resignation.

Ma Conditionally Approves 24-hour Sit-In to Oust Chen
(China Post, Sep. 3, 2006) Taipei Mayor Ma Ying-jeou conditionally approved a round-the-clock sit-in rally organized by the "one million anti-graft campaign," initiated by former chairman Shih Ming-teh of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).

US Confirms President's Guam Stopover
(Taipei Times, Sep. 3, 2006) The US government has officially approved President Chen Shui-bian's request to make a transit stop in Guam on his way back to Taiwan from Nauru on charter China Airlines passenger jets.

US Denies Rrefuel Stop to Taiwan President's Plane
(DPA, August 30, 2006) The United States, citing political sensitiveness, has denied Taiwan's presidential Air Force One plane a refuel stop in Guam, suggesting President Chen Shui-bian fly commercial instead.

Chen's Supporters Rally to Oppose Shih's Campaign
(Taipei Times, Aug 27, 2006) "What terrifies us are not those 'Chinese dogs,'" Wang Ben-hu said at the start of the rally. "What is really terrifying are DPP traitors like Shih, Sisy Chen and Hsu hsin-liang."

Drive to Oust Chen: Target Hit in a Week
(Straits Times, Aug. 23, 2006) In a makeshift office tucked away in a quiet alley, an ambitious campaign to topple scandal-tainted Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian has begun its final countdown. The anti-Chen movement reached its target of raising NT$100 million from the Taiwanese public.

Chen Said Using Part of State Fund for Covert Intelligence Operations (Taiwan News, Aug. 22, 2006) Prosecutors scrutinizing President Chen Shui-bian's alleged misuse of a public fund have found that part of the fund was diverted to covert intelligence gathering, the Liberty Times said.

President Vows to Forge on with His Own Agenda
(Taiwan News, Aug. 20, 2006) Unfazed by the ongoing campaign to depose him, President Chen Shui-bian said he will stay in office and seek to rewrite the Constitution and pursue membership in the United Nations under the name of Taiwan during the remainder of his term.

Support for Chen, DPP Nose-Diving, Poll Shows
(Taiwan News, Aug. 19, 2006) The approval ratings of President Chen Shui-bian and the ruling Democratic Progressive Party have both dropped to record lows, with only 18 percent of those polled saying they feel satisfied with Chen and the DPP.

Prospects of Bringing Chen Down Are Slim
(Straits Times, Aug. 19, 2006) Mr Chen has, in recent weeks, increasingly come under fire from his own supporters over a spate of corruption scandals. But some analysts believe that unless new hard evidence turns up that shows wrongdoing on the President or his wife's part, even Mr Shih's movement will not cause Mr Chen to resign.

Strong Support for Anti-Chen Protest
(Straits Times, Aug. 18, 2006) In just four days, more than 650,000 Taiwanese have pledged NT$100 each to fund an anti-Chen campaign spearheaded by Mr Shih Ming-teh, a former chairman of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party.

Special Fund Probe Continues as Sit-In Plans Move Forward
(Taiwan News, Aug. 17, 2006) Accusations against President Chen Shui-bian and the first lady regarding the alleged misuse of the Presidential Office's special state affairs fund continued to emerge, while more and more people reportedly responded to an anti-president drive launched by the former chairman of the ruling party.

Chen Says He Wants to Take a Trip to Palau
(Taipei Times, Aug 15, 2006) President Chen Shui-bian said that he was planning to visit Palau next month for a summit with the nation's six Pacific island allies amid calls for his resignation at home.

Lee Says He Won't Campaign to Oust Chen
(China Post, Aug. 14, 2006) Former President Lee Teng-hui said he would not take part in a movement to topple President Chen Shui-bian, after former ruling party chairman Shih Ming-teh started a campaign for Chen's ouster.

Chen Defends His Presidency
(Taiwan News, Aug. 13, 2006) Though more and more people are pressing him to step down, President Chen Shui-bian said his intention to pursue major policy goals during the remainder of his term remained unchanged.

Campaign Launched to Oust Taiwan President
(AFP, Aug. 13, 2004) Shih Ming-teh, the former chairman of Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party, has announced the launch of a campaign to oust President Chen Shui-bian over a string of scandals.

Former DPP Chairman Shih Urges Chen to Step Down
(China Post, Aug. 10, 2006) A former chairman of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has urged President Chen Shui-bian to step down in the wake of the corruption allegations haunting the first family.

Control Yuan to Investigate Chen's 'Secret' Account
(CNA, Aug. 8, 2006) The Control Yuan said it will ask the Ministry of Finance to provide data concerning an alleged "secret bank account" of President Chen Shui-bian's, and that it would ask Taishin International Bank to confirm whether such an account exists.

Chen Family Maid on Payroll of Nation Sparks Wide Outcry
(Taiwan News, Aug. 1, 2006) President Chen Shui-bian's payment of a senior housemaid working at his former residence sparked controversy yesterday following media disclosure that Chen has been using taxpayers' money for his personal financial obligations.

Chen's Office Faces Probe over NT$37m Expenses
(Reuters, July 29, 2006) The office of Taiwan's scandal-hit President Chen Shui-bian faces an investigation after the Ministry of Audit could not account for about NT$37 million in funds.

Academics Deplore Chen's Decision to Remain in Power
(China Post, July 27, 2006) The group of academics who recently launched a campaign to pressure President Chen Shui-bian step to down over scandals surrounding his family and aides issued another statement deploring the president's decision to stay on.

Student Holds Out Against President with Hunger Strike
(Taiwan News, July 26, 2006) A male university student Li Wen-cheng has been on a hunger strike at Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall for over 110 hours trying to urge President Chen Shui-bian to step down and to stop political conflicts.

President Has Control over Sensitive Areas: Ker
(China Post, July 26, 2006) DPP legislative council convener lawmaker Ker Chien-ming said Chen's role in formulating policies in sensitive areas such as defense and relations with China were "irreplaceable".

Party Leaders Launch Campaign of Support before DPP Congress (Taiwan News, July 22, 2006) A group of leaders of the ruling DPP launched a campaign calling on party members to throw their support behind President Chen Shui-bian in order to tide the party over its crises.

Chen Cancels DPP Meeting over Rumor Mill
(TN, July 18, 2006) President Chen Shui-bian canceled a scheduled expanded meeting of DPP in order to prevent the assembly from being interpreted as an effort to endorse Chen's continued governance.

Chen Vows to Stay on, Finish His Work
(China Post, July 17, 2006) President Chen Shui-bian has decided to stay on and work hard in the next year and 10 months to carry out his presidential campaign pledges to the voters.

Academics Urge Chen to Quit over Scandals
(China Post, July 14, 2006) A group of prominent academic supporters of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) is urging President Chen Shui-bian to resign over several high-profile corruption scandals.

First Lady Questioned in Graft Probe
(China Post, July 12, 2006) A prosecutor confirmed yesterday that Chen's wife had been questioned in connection with a probe into the distribution of free vouchers from an upscale Taipei department store and the transfer of ownership of the retailing giant.

Chao Chien-ming Indicted, Released on NT$10 Mil. Bail
(China Post, July 11, 2006) President Chen Shui-bian's son-in-law, Chao Chien-ming, was indicted yesterday on charges of insider trading in a corruption scandal that has rocked the government and tarnished the public image of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).

Chen’s Top Aide Indicted on Bribery Charges
(Taipei Times, July 8, 2006) Former Presidential Office deputy secretary-general Chen Che-nan was indicted on charges of accepting bribes and profiting from insider trading. Taipei prosecutors asked the court to sentence him to 12 years in jail.

Chen Vows to Do a Better Job
(Taiwan News, July 4, 2006) President Chen Shui-bian delivered a public apology for not having performed better in his six years in office. Chen pledged to do better in his remaining 22 months on the job.

First Family's Doctor Talks to Investigators
(Taipei Times, July 1, 2006) The first family's doctor Huang Fang-yen was summoned for questioning by prosecutors as a witness in the on-going investigation into the gift voucher scandal involving first lady.

Taiwan's President, Mired in Scandals, Survives Recall Vote
(Washington Post, June 28, 2006) President Chen Shui-bian easily survived a recall vote in Taiwan's legislature but remained mired in scandals that have undermined his leadership and touched off a rancorous political struggle.

Taiwan Leader Survives Bid to Recall Him
(AP, June 27, 2006) Taiwanese leader Chen Shui-bian on Tuesday survived an opposition-led bid to recall him over allegations some of his relatives engaged in insider trading. Only 119 lawmakers in the 221-member Legislature voted for the recall measure - short of the two-thirds majority - or 148 ballots.

Taiwan Signature Drive Seeks President's Removal
(Reuters, June 26, 2006) Taiwan's opposition has gathered about 1.67 million signatures calling on President Chen Shui-bian to resign on the eve of a parliamentary vote seeking to oust him over a series of scandals implicating his family and close aides.

Fugitive Tycoon Accuses Chen of Lying over Funds
(AFP, June 26, 2006) Chen Yu-hao, formerly head of the defunct Tuntex group, claimed the President's wife Wu Shu-chen had twice accepted political donations from him totaling NT$6 million in 1994 and 1998. 'Now, how can they say Wu has never met me before?' he said.

Chen Proposes Cross-Party Dialogue
(Taipei Times, June 24, 2006) President Chen Shui-bian said he will push for negotiations between the governing and opposition parties as a prelude to renewed cross-strait dialogue after the legislature has finished voting on a recall motion against him.

Chen Takes on Commander Role
(AFP, June 23, 2006) Taiwan's President Chen Shui-bian, battling demands that he resign over corruption allegations against his family, flew to visit troops stationed off China's coast to signal his control over the armed forces.

KMT Chief Seeks Public Backing to Recall Chen
(Straits Times, June 22, 2006) Taiwan's opposition leader Ma Ying-jeou made a passionate public appeal for support, as the island's legislature began to debate a motion to remove President Chen Shui-bian from power.

Chen Defends His Government, Actions
(Taipei Times, June 21, 2006) Dismissing opposition claims that he trampled on the Constitution, President Chen Shui-bian last night invited his political foes to overhaul the Constitution if they thought it to be flawed.

President Set to Answer 10 Accusations to Public on TV
(Taiwan News, June 20, 2006) President Chen Shui-bian will deliver a nationally-televised "report to the people" this evening in place of a formal rebuttal to the recall motion.

Ma, KMT Officials Endorse Proposal to Oust President
(AFP, June 20, 2006) Kuomintang Chairman Ma Ying-jeou led 14 KMT magistrates and mayors to sign a joint statement showing their support for the proposal made by opposition legislators in Legislative Yuan to oust the president.

Poll: Most Taiwanese Say Leader Unfit to be President
(AP, June 20, 2006) About 53 percent of the respondents said it was inappropriate for Chen to stay on as president, according to a poll conducted by the mass-market China Times. Only 31 percent said Chen should continue as Taiwan's leader, and the remaining had no opinion.

Thousands Rally in Taiwan for President to Quit
(Reuters, June 19, 2006) Thousands of people rallied in central Taiwan, marking the third straight weekend of protests calling for President Chen Shui-bian to resign over scandals involving his family and senior aides.

Taiwan President Attacks Opposition Recall Bid
(AFP, June 16, 2006) Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian has blasted the opposition for using a probe into his son-in-law to launch power struggles against him, as parliament seeks to recall the leader amid snowballing corruption scandals involving his family.

Chen Says He Won't Respond to Opposition Recall
(Taipei Times, June 15, 2006) President Chen Shui-bian announced that he will not issue a rebuttal to an opposition-sponsored recall motion, but will instead explain to the people his achievements over the past six years.

Taiwan Lawmakers Agree on Recall Hearings
(Reuters, June 14, 2006) Taiwanese lawmakers agreed to hold hearings on a possible recall of President Chen Shui-bian. Legislators voted 113-96 to have a screening committee - including opposition and ruling party members - begin hearings on whether Chen should be recalled.

Chen Recall Moves One Step Forward
(Taipei Times, Jun 13, 2006) A motion to recall the president was put on the legislative agenda for the first time in the nation's history, raising the stakes in a political showdown triggered by corruption allegations against President Chen Shui-bian's relatives and inner circle.

Thousands Rally in Taiwan Against President
(Reuters, June 11, 2006) Thousands of people took to the streets of Taiwan's capital for the second consecutive weekend, calling for President Chen Shui-bian to quit over a deepening financial scandal involving his family members.

Chen Tells Burghardt He's Still in Charge
(Taipei Times, June 9, 2006) President Chen Shui-bian told a visiting US official morning that his delegation of powers to Premier Su Tseng-chang and ranking Democratic Progressive Party officials has not changed his presidential authority.

Chen Reshuffles NSC But Retains Sec-Gen. Chiou
(China Post, June 5, 2006) Two officials of the National Security Council (NSC) will be replaced in line with President Chen Shui-bian's vow to surrender his administrative powers. But opposition lawmakers stressed that NSC Secretary-General Chiou I-jen must go.

Thousands Join Pan-Blue Rally against Chen
(Taipei Times, June 4, 2006) Thousands of protesters yesterday under the lead of the People First Party took to the street calling on the president to step down and assume responsibility for the recent string of allegations of corruption involving government officials and the president's in-laws.

Taiwan Opposition Seeks President's Ouster
(Reuters, June 3, 2006) Taiwan's top opposition leader threatened on Saturday to initiate a vote of no confidence in parliament against President Chen Shui-bian's cabinet over an insider trading scandal involving his son-in-law.

Two Influential Aides of Taiwan President Resign
(Deutsche Presse-Agentur, June 2, 2006) Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian approved the resignations of two of his chief aides, a day after he declared he would relegate power to the premier amid his son-in-law's snowballing insider trading scandal.

Taiwan President Gives Control to Premier
(AP, June 1, 2006) Taiwan's president has handed over day-to-day control of the island's government to the premier in the wake of a series of scandals. Chen, whose term ends in 2008, remains head of state and appeared to retain policy-making authority.

New Scandal Threatens President, Party
(Taiwan News, May 25, 20060 National Science Council Vice Chairman Hsieh Ching-jyh was taken into custody over a suspected profiteering scandal involving a project in the southern county of Tainan.

Taiwan President's Son-in-Law Denies Insider Trade
(Reuters, May 15, 2006 ) Taiwan's presidential office has denied insider trading accusations leveled against a son-in-law of President Chen Shui-bian, whose popularity has already slumped to new lows due to a string of corruption scandals.

Ex-Presidential Aide Detained in Scam Probe
(China Post, Apr. 8, 2006) The Taipei District Court ordered the detention of Chen Che-nan, a former senior aide to President Chen Shui-bian, for alleged fraud and involvement in other cases.

Trying Taiwan
(Wall Street Journal, Sep. 15, 2009) Former President Chen Shui-bian's conviction of stealing three million dollars from state coffers and accepting bribes worth several times that amount was a shock to Taiwan. The question now is how well the island's political and judicial systems will withstand this verdict.

Former Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian Gets Life in Prison for Corruption By Barbara Demick (LA Times, Sep. 12, 2009) Former Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian was handed an unexpectedly stiff sentence of life in prison at the end of a corruption trial steeped in politics.

Taiwan: Spotlight on the Young Democracy’s Judicial System By Jonathan Adams (Christian Science Monitor, May 21, 2009) The country is struggling to handle the politically charged corruption trial of former President Chen Shui-bian.

Case Against Ex-Leader Stirs Unease in Taiwan By Keith Bradsher
(New York Times, Feb. 21, 2009) Legal experts here and around the world cite the skit, perceived as prosecutors mocking their prisoner, as one of several incidents that raise troubling questions about whether the rule of law is being followed in the proceedings against Mr. Chen.

Taiwan’s Democratic Test Continues By Christopher Walker and Sarah Cook (Taipei Times, Feb. 17, 2009) Since shedding authoritarian rule two decades ago, Taiwan has achieved commendable progress in democracy. On a recent visit, however, it was clear that while democracy continues to flourish, a number of serious concerns have arisen.

Political Corruption in Taiwan
(The Economist, Jan. 22, 2009) Mr Chen’s trial is a test for Taiwan’s two-decade-old democracy. Many are heartened that a former president can stand trial like a common citizen; critics, however, say recent judicial proceedings have been marred by sloppy improprieties.

Eroding Justice: Open Letter No. 3
(Taipei Times, Jan. 21, 2009) We the undersigned, scholars and writers from the US, Canada, Europe and Australia, consider ourselves long-time supporters of a democratic Taiwan. We write to express our concern regarding the erosion of the judicial system in Taiwan during the past few months.

Survey of Public Trust in Chen Shui-bian and Approval Rating for President Ma Ying-jeou (GVSRC, Dec. 22, 2008) 8.2% of Taiwanese people say they trust Chen, while 78.7% say they don’t. Meanwhile, President Ma’s approval rating after seven moths in office is 30.3%.

Chen’s Graft Charges Stun Democratic Taiwan By Annie Huang
(AP, Dec. 13, 2008) The depth of the charges against Chen stunned ordinary Taiwanese, who believed their rapidly evolving democracy had finally put an end to decades of endemic political corruption.

Test for Taiwan’s Judiciary
(Editorial, Japan Times, Nov. 15, 2008) the arrest is not something to savor for the Nationalist Party since it could sharpen antagonisms between it and the opposition DPP.

Taiwan Nabs an Ex-president By Cindy Sui
(Asia Times, Nov. 13, 2008) While the media focus on the high-profile detention of Taiwan's former president Chen Shui-bian over suspicions of corruption, his alleged wrongdoings show that the island's 12-year-old democracy still has some way to go.

An Open Letter to DPP Supporters By Tsai Ing-wen
(Taipei Times, Aug. 27, 2008) Through its mistakes, the DPP has demonstrated that Taiwan’s democracy is gradually heading toward maturation and completion. To our supporters, this is indeed a painful process, but I must reiterate that this is democracy.

Another Political Storm Hits Taiwan By Michael Schuman and Natalie Tso (Time, Aug. 26, 2008) The latest trouble facing the former president may further damage the DPP's legitimacy in challenging the ruling party, giving Ma a freer hand in pursuing his own policies.

Wu Shu-chen: from Campaign to Court for Taiwan's First Lady
(Agence France Presse, Dec. 16, 2006) Wu Shu-chen, Taiwan's first lady who went on trial on corruption and forgery charges, was once her husband's biggest asset on his campaign trail to the presidency.

Legality of Special Fund Case Disputed by Greens
(Taipei Times, Dec. 15, 2006) The pan-green parties submitted a request for a constitutional interpretation to the Judicial Yuan on the legality of prosecutors questioning President Chen Shui-bian over the "state affairs fund" case.

China and Taiwan: Two Chens Face Two Systems
(Christian Science Monitor, Dec. 7, 2006) As recent corruption scandals have ensnared top politicians on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, the differences between democratically ruled Taiwan's approach to corruption and mainland China's have been on graphic display in "the tale of two Chens."

Watchful Eye on Taiwan's Embattled Chen By Peter Ford
(Christian Science Monitor, Nov. 24, 2006) Officials in Washington and Beijing are nervous. As the president fights to clear his wife and himself of swirling corruption charges, they say, he may seek to make Taiwan a flash point that would drag the US and China into a diplomatic conflict both wish to avoid.

Taiwan's Young Democracy Tested in a Comic-Opera Battle By Jim Yardley (New York Times, Nov. 23, 2006) At times, Taiwanese politics is a blend of opera and blood sport, and this is one of those times. Scandal and outrage, lying and humiliation - all of it messy and delivered in a loud, public fashion - are consuming political life here, as a virtual death watch has settled over the second term of President Chen Shui-bian.

Poor Oversight Led to 'State Affairs Fund' Controversy
(Taipei Times, Nov. 20, 2006) The controversy involving President Chen Shui-bian's alleged misuse of the "state affairs fund" highlights the poor design and oversight of the special expense funds used by government officials.

Dissenting DPP Voices Call for Chen to Go
(Taipei Times, Nov. 13, 2006) The controversy over President Chen Shui-bian's "state affairs fund" has sparked a heated debate over whether he would do the country a favor by stepping down.

United Now, DPP to Face Real Test in Municipal Polls
(Taipei Times, Nov. 12, 2006) The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has forged an opinion on corruption charges against President Chen Shui-bian, temporarily quelling factional strife. But it is the public opinion that will be expressed in the Taipei and Kaohsiung municipal elections next month that will be the real test for the party.

For Chen, a Dream in Disarray By Edward Cody
(Washington Post, Nov. 7, 2006) Chen Shui-bian rode to the presidency of Taiwan in 2000 on what appeared to be the wave of the future. But the wave has ebbed now, and the promise of a new era has dimmed. The scandal has left his Democratic Progressive Party in disarray, undermining its image and its dreams.

Prosecutors' Move Step Forward for Democracy By Peter Enav
(Associated Press, Nov. 6, 2006) Taiwan's young democracy seems to be in a big mess. But analysts say there's an important bright spot: Taiwan's democratic system is showing that it's mature enough to have legal officials prosecute some of the island's most powerful people.

Testing Times for Taiwan By Caroline Gluck
(BBC News, Nov. 4, 2006) Many saw it as a day of shame. But for others, it was a day of hope, a milestone in the island's maturing democratic process and a vindication of the independence of its judicial system which had shown it could withstand political pressure.

10 Questions: Shih Ming-the By Natalie Tso
(TIME Asia, Oct. 23, 2006) If Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian is seeing red these days, he can blame Shih Ming-teh. Shih was once chairman of Chen's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). But for weeks now he has been leading crimson-clad demonstrators in protest to force the President to resign over corruption allegations against him, his aides and his relatives.

Anti-Chen Move Losing Strength: Analysts By Mo Yan-chih
(Taipei Times, Oct. 15, 2006) Weeks after commencing a high-profile, round-the-clock demonstration calling on President Chen-Shui-bian to step down, the anti-Chen campaign appears to be wracked by internal disputes and has come under heavy criticism following its unlawful "siege".

Taiwan's National Day of Disgrace By Ong Hwee Hwee
(Straits Times, Oct. 11, 2006) An outraged President Chen Shui-bian threatened to call off future ceremonies to mark Taiwan's Double Ten national day after a protest against him marred the annual celebration. The rally was seen as the climax of a month-long protest aimed at pressuring Mr Chen to step down.

Protesters Fuel a Long-Shot Bid to Oust Taiwan’s Leader By Keith Bradsher (New York Times, Sep. 28, 2006) Only a longtime democracy and independence activist like Shih Ming-teh, whose credentials include having his teeth shattered twice by guards during a quarter century in prison under martial law, would dare revive the color red in Taiwanese politics.

Pressure on Taiwan Parties to Resolve Row over Chen
(Straits Times, Sep. 23, 2006) Taiwan's political leaders are under pressure to resolve an escalating crisis over the leadership of President Chen Shui-bian as concerns rise over growing social instability.

Daily Protests Snap at Taiwan Leader's Heels By Mark Magnier and Tsai Ting-I (LA Times, Sep. 22, 2006) President Chen is assailed by calls to step down over alleged family corruption. A referendum plan may be a diversion, critics say.

Sit-In a Step to Mature Democracy?
(Straits Times, Sep. 15, 2006) The anti-Chen Shui-bian mass protest in Taipei exposes flaws in the island's democratic system. But the landmark movement could help deepen the island's young democracy, analysts say.

Shih Vows to Press on with Anti-Chen Fight
(Taiwan News, Sep. 11, 2006) Shih has pledged not to end his anti-corruption movement unless Chen steps down. "The anti-Chen movement is a long-term war. Asking the island's most powerful man to step down is not an easy task."

Seeing Red over Chen By Ong Hwee Hwee
(Straits Times, Sep. 10, 2006) Observers pointed out that it was just the start of what is likely to be a long, hard battle. Philip Yang of the National Taiwan University: 'A strong turnout is just a start. The more crucial factor is: how long can the protesters last?'

Shih Insists He's a Reluctant Protester
(Straits Times, Sep. 9, 2006) He calls it his 'sunset battle', and the toughest fight in a tumultuous political career. At 65, Mr Shih Ming-teh, Taiwan's most well-known political prisoner, was quietly fading into oblivion after an unsuccessful attempt to get elected as a lawmaker two years ago.

'Anti-Graft' Drive to Rebuild Values: Shih
(China Post, Sep. 8, 2006) The mass "anti-corruption and depose-Chen" protest is aimed mainly at rebuilding the core values and harmony in Taiwan society aside from deposing a "flawed" president, proclaimed former Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Chairman Shih Ming-teh.

Taiwan Doomed If Chen Serves Out Term: Opponent Shih
(Agence France Presse, Sep. 5, 2006) Taiwan is "doomed" if President Chen Shui-bian is allowed to ride out corruption charges and serve a full term, his chief opponent said in an interview ahead of a mass protest to oust the leader.

Taiwan Leader to Visit the Pacific Amid Domestic Woes
(AFP, Sep. 2, 2006) President Chen Shui-bian's upcoming tour of Taiwan's diplomatic allies in the South Pacific is intended to bolster his leadership in the midst of a mounting political crisis at home, observers said.

Shih's Campaign Won't Have Direct Impact on Chen By Jane Rickards
(China Post, Aug. 24, 2006) Democracy veteran Shih Ming-teh's push to unseat President Chen Shui-bian will not directly force Chen out of office. Philip Yang said overall Chen had lost all credibility with the public. But politically he still had supporters and legally it was difficult to remove him.

Democracy Needs Deepening Not Destruction
(Editorial, Taiwan News, Aug. 23, 2006) Shih Ming-teh is actually riding on the back of a tiger whose reins are not really in his hands. Whether motivated by principle or personal resentment, Shih's final role in Taiwan's political history may be as one of the gravediggers of Taiwan's democracy instead of one of its creators.

Salute Shih Ming-teh!
(Editorial, China Post, Aug. 23, 2006) Shih Ming-teh will go down in history as the first man to have succeeded in rallying support from Taiwan's rival political groups, the "pan-green" and the "pan-blue," for clean and honest government.

Chen's 'Practices' Cause His Suffering By Chiu Hei-yuan
(Taipei Times, Aug 21, 2006) Chen has suffered not from leading the reform process, but as a result of his inability to govern the nation, having concentrated too much power in his own hands and being stupid enough to follow old irregular practices.

Chen Uses Populist Tactics to Fight Fund Misuse Charges
(Editorial, China Post, Aug. 5, 2006) Concern grows about judicial independence as President Chen Shui-bian is spinning state auditors' recent charges that he misused government funds as unjust treatment of him, a maneuver that could influence the course of probes being conducted by investigators.

Why Chen Should Not Step Down By Lee Wen-chung, Julian Kuo and Tuan Yi-kang (Taipei Times, Jul 26, 2006) If we require that the president step down for moral reasons only, the decision on what moral standard to follow would be subjective. We believe it could trigger several different political crises and put an end to the president's decision to delegate power just as it is gradually being implemented.

Chen Needs to Rely on Political Maneuvers for Survival: Experts By Jane Rickards (China Post, July 21, 2006) Beleaguered with a string of corruption allegations, President Chen has lost all public trust and will need to rely on political maneuvers with his four possible successors if his presidency is to survive, analysts said.

Chen's Core Support Falls as He Fights for Survival
(Editorial, China Post, July 20, 2006) The academics have a particular concern: Allowing an incompetent and morally tainted leader like Chen to continue to head the government will only undermine Taiwan's independence cause.

Family Ties Draw Taiwan Leader into Share Scandal By Mary-Anne Toy (The Age, July 15, 2006) With his popularity already at an all-time low, Mr Chen has now found himself in a maelstrom of financial impropriety allegations directed at his senior aides and family.

Nurse Democracy Back to Health By Taiwan Solidarity Union
(Taipei Times, July 4, 2006) Taiwan's unprecedented presidential recall vote was a stand-off between those who oppose and support President Chen Shui-bian. It has also been simplistically described as a political duel between the pan-green and pan-blue camps.

President Chen's Hollow Victory
(Straits Times, June 29, 2006) With his ratings hitting rock-bottom and his credibility eroded despite the failed recall motion, observers say he is destined to be a lame-duck leader even if he manages to ride out the crisis.

Troubled Politics in Taiwan By Simon Montlake
(Christian Science Monitor, June 29, 2006) The heat generated by the thwarted recall, which needed a two-thirds majority to force a national referendum, seems unlikely to diminish, leaving Taiwan with a lame-duck president until 2008.

Taiwan Political Crisis Far from Over By Benjamin Kang Lim
(Reuters, June 28, 2006) Taiwan's scandal-plagued President Chen Shui-bian has staved off an unprecedented parliamentary vote to unseat him, but his woes and the island's political crisis are far from over.

Ordinary Taiwanese Are Tired of Politicking, Want to See Stability
(Straits Times, June 27, 2006) Taxi-driver Yang Cheng-wen finds it hard to believe that President Chen Shui-bian's family is innocent. 'So many scandals and rumours during the past six years of his presidency. I think there must be some truth in them,' he says. Yet, Mr Yang does not support an opposition-backed motion to recall the Taiwanese President.

Ma's Popularity Takes a Hit By Ong Hwee Hwee
(Straits Times, June 26, 2006) In an ironic turn of events, Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian's political crisis has claimed a most unlikely casualty - his rival Ma Ying-jeou. Ma faces big test trying to please both moderates and radicals over Chen crisis.

Press Freedom Compared
(Editorial, China Post, June 25, 2006) While still immature and imperfect, Taiwan's democracy is often ridiculed as rambunctious. The media, too, is far from being ideal in terms of accuracy and accountability. For all its shortcomings, the press is free, bold and aggressive. The press is playing the role of muckraker. It leaves no stone unturned in exposing the seedy side of politics.

Chen's Address May Stir Up Ethnic Tensions By Jane Rickards
(China Post, June 22, 2006) President Chen Shui-bian's televised address to the nation was aimed at appealing to hardline Taiwan independence supporters and is likely to cause more bitter confrontations between ruling party and opposition supporters.

Growing Pains By Chiu Hei-Yuan
(TIME Asia, June 26, 2006) Taiwan's current problems are simply growing pains. Taiwan has a lot going for it. These all provide an excellent institutional base on which to build. Taiwan's leaders will come and go, but the island's democracy is here to stay.

Taiwan's Economy 'Hurt by Political Tug of War'
(Associated Press, June 19, 2006) The campaign to oust Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian and his resistance to the move have overshadowed the needs of the economy. But the opposition says political disputes do not harm Taiwan's economy, but wrong economic policies do.

President Chen to Go on Trial in Legislative Yuan
(China Post, June 14, 2006) The Legislative Yuan decided yesterday to try President Chen Shui-bian in the nation's first ever attempt to recall the head of state. On June 27, the recall motion will be put to a final vote on the floor of the nation's highest legislative organ. The motion, however, is unlikely to be adopted.

Recall Motion Just Start of Political Battle
(Central News Agency, June 12, 2006) Analysts say the KMT wants to use the recall campaign to maintain momentum to unseat the president, using that momentum to add pressure on a government led by what they see as a tainted president.

Scandals Threaten Taiwan's Economic Growth
(Associated Press, June 11, 2006) The intense political strife over whether to oust President Chen Shui-bian in the wake of a series of corruption scandals is threatening to undermine Taiwan's economy, an analyst at a global ratings agency has said.

Taiwan's Chen Turns to US for Support
(Straits Times, June 10, 2006) Besieged by rising calls for him to step down, Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian has turned to the United States for support by reviving a promise not to declare independence for the island.

Chen Fights Campaign to Force His Resignation
(Reuters, June 9, 2006) Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian, in his first self-defense against the opposition's growing campaign for his resignation, likened opposition attempts to oust him to a trial during China's chaotic Cultural Revolution.

Ceding Power Has Left Chen a Weaker Lame Duck
(Editorial, China Post, June 8, 2006) Chen's move to surrender power has produced both favorable and unfavorable results for him, with respect to the impact the action has had to date on the ruling party.

Taiwan's President On Shaky Ground By Edward Cody
(Washington Post, June 2, 2006) President Chen Shui-bian, Taiwan's ardent champion of independence, has been gravely wounded by a string of political missteps and mounting corruption allegations against his family, undermining his leadership and raising doubts about the remaining two years of his term.

For Chen, a Painful Fall from the 'Son' to the 'Shame of Taiwan' By Goh Sui Noi (Straits Times, June 2, 2006) Mr Chen, a native Taiwanese, was celebrated as the 'son of Taiwan' when he came to power in 2000, the first president from an opposition party. Now, he has to endure a hurtful twisting of that sobriquet - from tai wan zhi zi (son of Taiwan) to tai wan zhi chi (shame of Taiwan).

Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian Delegates Some Powers
(Bloomberg, June 1, 2006) A ''question mark'' remains on Chen's sincerity in making the change, we'll have to see in the coming months if Chen loosens his grip on these and whether Premier Su has the right to do a Cabinet reshuffle to place the ministers he thinks appropriate.''

Taiwan President Struggles to Shake Off Scandal By Benjamin Kang Lim
(Reuters, May 29, 20060 Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian is struggling to weather a political crisis amid attacks from the opposition and even factions of his party own after his son-in-law was detained on suspicion of insider trading.

An Apology Is Not Nearly Enough By Chiu Hei-yuan
(Taipei Times, May 27, 2006) Chen said that he would undergo more self-examination and humbly accept criticism. Although it is no easy task for the president to make an apology like this, it was inadequate given the gravity of the problem.

Is President Chen another Nixon or another Clinton?
(Editorial, China Post, May 22, 2006) The lesson President Chen should learn from former President Clinton is clear: if President Chen can make substantial policy achievements, the public might still forgive him for the misbehavior of his relatives and subordinates.

DPP Politicians Scramble to Distance Themselves from Chen By Jane Rickards (China Post, Apr. 11, 2006) Ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) politicians are likely to scramble to distance themselves from President Chen Shui-bian, the party's long-time strongman, after his long-term aide was arrested on fraud charges, analysts said