Amid tensions with China, Taiwan's leader stresses differences

TAIPEI, Taiwan -- Taiwan's president stressed Taipei's democratic system, freedoms and respect for human rights Thursday, days after angering rival mainland China with remarks about the island's separate status.

President Chen Shui-bian steered clear, however, of restating his dangerous contention that the island's status left it free to decide its future.

Nevertheless, the feisty Chen emphasized other points he has made in a series of recent speeches that have prompted Beijing to issue new threats to use force against Taiwan. The nationalist Chinese leadership fled to Taiwan in the midst of the Chinese civil war 53 years ago which ended with the communist takeover on the mainland.

China demands Taiwan be unified with the mainland in a single country.

"We're going to win the international community's support with our love for freedom, our promotion of democracy, human rights and our determination to preserve peace," Chen said while touring southern Taiwan.

His speech -- which did not mention China -- was full of references to other liberties that Taiwanese enjoy but China's citizens do not.

Chen's choice of audience was especially symbolic. He spoke to rescue teams that saved 134 Chinese fishermen stranded on a burning boat last month near Taiwan's southern port of Kaohsiung.

Most Taiwanese oppose unification with China as long as the Communist Party is in power and the mainland is undemocratic. But only a small number of Taiwanese support a permanent split and the outright rejection of China's calls for eventual unification.