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DPP chairman in last push on island's name

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The chairman of Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party, Yu Shyi-kun, has vowed to push through a resolution to end the island's use of the Republic of China title in what could be the last throw of the dice before he steps down as the DPP leader.

Analysts say the move represents Yu's attempt to save his own political life after being charged with corruption.

It would also signify the start of a divided party if the Yu camp and its DPP rivals failed to come to terms over the controversial 'normal country resolution' Yu wanted to push through, they said.

Yu was indicted by prosecutors on Friday for allegedly embezzling more than NT$2 million (HK$470,000) in special monthly allowances during his time as secretary general of the Presidential Office and premier between 2000 and 2005.

Prosecutors also charged Taiwanese Vice-President Annette Lu Hsiu-lien and National Security Council secretary general Mark Chen Tan-sun with the same crimes.

The indictment came while Yu was visiting Canada, from where he offered to resign in a statement issued through his secretary general, Lin Chia-lung, in Taipei.

But an emotional Yu vowed on his return to Taipei on Monday that he would push through a motion to replace the island's ROC title with 'Taiwan'.

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