Taiwan's president clung to his contentious plans for a new constitution yesterday, insisting they would not touch on sovereignty issues that could inflame relations with Beijing.
President Chen Shui-bian's constitution plans are seen by the mainland as a move towards independence, but Mr Chen has tried to strike a reassuring tone.
'This new constitution will not touch on national sovereignty or territory, nor issues of unification or independence, but will take as its base the realisation of good government and reform of the government system,' he said.
Mr Chen was speaking to army cadets at a ceremony to mark the 80th anniversary of the Whampoa Military Academy in Fengshan town. The president is also commander of the armed forces.
The academy was set up in 1924 in Guangzhou, but was relocated to Taiwan in 1949.
Mr Chen asked more than 1,800 cadets and officers to recognise the government's determination to uphold the integrity of the Republic of China, the official title of Taiwan.
