Chen Shui-Bian

Chen Shui-Bian is a former president of Taiwan. As a second term incumbent, he was barred from running in the 2008 Presidential Election. Instead, he endorsed the leader of the Democratic Progressive Party, Frank Hsieh. Chen Shui-Bian has been a controversial figure in Taiwan, both for his pro-Independence stance, and because of allegations of corruption in his administration. When he took office in 2000, it ended more that 50 years of domination by the Kuomintang. After a second term marred by continuous scandal and failure in legislative elections at the end of 2007, Chen Shui-Bian resigned as chairman of the DPP. His party's loss to the Pan-Blue candidate Ma Ying-Jeou in the 2008 presidential election is widely considered to be a reflection of frustrations over Chen Shui-Bian's second presidential term.

• Google News: Chen Shui-Bian
• Forbes: "Taiwan's Chen Plans Pardon for Illegal China Investments" (February 17, 2008)
• China Dialy: "Chen Warned Against Taiwan 'Referendum'" (February 4, 2008)
  • "The decision of the Taiwan authorities, led by Chen Shui-Bian, to hold the 'referendum' is a dangerous step in its attempts to change the status quo that the Chinese mainland and Taiwan are part of one China."
• Bangkok Post: "No One Happy with Taiwan Spratly Visit" (February 2, 2008)
• Xinhau News: "Election-Eve Shooting of Chen Shui-bian "Fake" (January 31, 2008)
• BBC News: "Interview: Chen Shui-Bian" (March 30, 2004)