Taiwan president, vice president shot while campaigning

8.55pm

UPDATED - Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian has been shot while campaigning, a day before a presidential election, but is not in critical condition, his spokesman said.

Chen had been rushed to hospital in the southern city of Tainan. Vice President Annette Lu was also wounded, but both were conscious and not in critical condition, Chen's chief of staff, Chiou I-jen said.

"They are both conscious and their lives are not in danger."

Chen had called for calm, Chiou said.

"It was definitely a gun attack," Chiou said, adding that officials found one bullet.

Chiou said the president, who wasn't wearing body armor, was shot in the stomach, and the vice president was hit in the right knee while their motorcade was cruising the streets in the southern city of Tainan.

Chen was riding in a red convertible four-wheel-drive vehicle past crowds lining the streets in his hometown. People were setting off celebratory fireworks as he drove by and early media reports said he was injured by firecrackers.

"The vice president first felt pain in her knee and she thought it was caused by firecrackers," Chiou said.

"Then the president felt some wetness on his stomach area, and then they realized something was wrong."

Chiou added that "the president is conscious" and "can still direct the nation's affairs."

The elections would go ahead, officials said.

Chen was able to walk into the emergency room unaided while the vice president required assistance, one witness told television.

An official at Chi Mei hospital in the president's hometown of Tainan said Chen's motorcade had raced into the compound, which has now been closed off.

The incident occurred at about 1:50 pm (6.50pm NZT), officials said.

Chen, of the Democratic Progressive Party, which espouses an aggressive policy of independence from China, is battling for re-election against Nationalist Party leader Lien Chan, who favours a conciliatory approach to the island's giant foe.

Taiwan's third presidential elections to be held under universal suffrage were set for Saturday.

- REUTERS