Taiwan president offers vows to stabilise ties with China

Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian has vowed to stabilise ties with arch-foe China during his second four-year term, saying he hoped to be eventually regarded as a peacemaker instead of a troublemaker.

But China suspects Chen, whose narrow win in the March 20 election is being challenged by the opposition, wants formal independence for the self-governed island which Beijing regards as a breakaway province.

He also vowed to adopt a new constitution by 2008, something China has said was tantamount to a declaration of independence and could lead to war.