Taiwan`s former president Chen Shui-bian was released from hospital and returned to a detention centre Wednesday, on the second week of a hunger strike to protest his arrest on graft allegations.

Chen left the hospital by ambulance while dozens of supporters gathered and honked air horns as he was driven back to the detention centre.

Taiwan`s former president Chen Shui-bian was released from hospital and returned to a detention centre Wednesday, on the second week of a hunger strike to protest his arrest on graft allegations.

Chen left the hospital by ambulance while dozens of supporters gathered and honked air horns as he was driven back to the detention centre.

Taiwan`s detained former president Chen Shui-bian was rushed to hospital Sunday, a doctor said, days after he went on hunger strike to protest his arrest on graft allegations.

Chen arrived at the Far Eastern Memorial Hospital in Panchiao city, 10 minutes after his ambulance left the Tucheng detention centre outside Taipei, the private TVBS news network said.

Taiwan`s detained former president Chen Shui-bian was rushed to hospital Sunday, TVBS news network said in a live report.

Chen arrived at the Far Eastern Memorial Hospital in Panchiao city, 10 minutes after his ambulance left the Tucheng detention centre outside Taipei, TVBS said, where he is being held on graft allegations.

TAIPEI, Oct 22, 2007 (AFP) - Liquid crystal display maker AU Optronics, said Monday earnings for the third quarter to September jumped massively on strong demand and rising product prices.

AU Optronics posted 22.57 billion Taiwan dollars (692 million US) in net profit, compared with 5.92 billion dollars in the quarter to June. Earnings per share (EPS) rose to 2.89 dollars from 0.79 dollars in the second quarter.

TAIPEI, Oct 22, 2007 (AFP) - Taiwan share prices fell sharply in Monday monring trade, following Wall Street's plunge last week on escalating concerns over the US economic outlook and corporate profitability, dealers said.

At 9:33 am (0133 GMT), the weighted index was down 280.19 points or 2.92 percent at 9,331.53 on turnover of 43.75 billion Taiwan dollars (1.34 billion US).

'The heavy losses this morning do follow the Wall Street jitters. Worries over the US economy have been exacerbated, undermining market confidence,' said Concord Securities analyst Allen Lin.

TAIPEI, Oct 19, 2007 (AFP) - Taiwan on Friday said it was disappointed that director Angola Lee's spy thriller 'Lust, Caution' was disqualified from competing for a Best Foreign Language Film Oscar.

'We regretted that the film was disqualified by the Academy as it would have had a fairly good chance of being nominated and even won an award,' said Yeh Chien-chao, chief of Taiwan's Foreign Language Film Award Selection Committee.

TAIPEI, Oct 19, 2007 (AFP) - Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian dismissed an offer of a peace treaty with China in an interview published Friday, saying it would be like agreeing to 'a treaty of surrender.'

Speaking to the International Herald Tribune, Chen said China's offer, made by President Hu Jintao in a keynote speech earlier this week, was couched in terms that made it unacceptable.

TAIPEI, Oct 18, 2007 (AFP) - Taiwan has suspended imports of apples from France after a harmful moth larva was found in a shipment, authorities said Thursday.

The codling moth larva -- which can do extensive damage to apples and pears -- was discovered Tuesday in a shipment of GALA apples at the northern Keelung harbour, said Chang Shih-yang, of the animal and plant health inspection bureau.

'We have notified the French government to stop shipping apples to Taiwan before their quarantine measures are improved,' Chang said.

BEIJING, Oct 16, 2007 (AFP) - Chinese President Hu Jintao on Monday called for a peace agreement with long-time rival Taiwan, but insisted independence for the island would never be tolerated.

'We would like to make a solemn appeal,' Hu said at the opening of the ruling Communist Party's five-yearly Congress.

ROGERS, Arkansas, Oct 15, 2007 (AFP) - The United States on Monday welcomed Chinese President Hu Jintao's call for a peace agreement with long-time rival Taiwan as 'a step in the right direction.'

'We believe that President Hu's remarks were a step in the right direction on seeking to reinvigorate a cross-strait dialogue,' White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe said.

Earlier Monday Hu called at the opening of China's ruling Communist Party's five-yearly Congress for a peace agreement with Taiwan, but insisted that independence for the island would never be tolerated.

WASHINGTON, Oct 15, 2007 (AFP) - The United States on Monday welcomed Chinese President Hu Jintao's call for a peace agreement with long-time rival Taiwan as 'a step in the right direction.'

'We believe that President Hu's remarks were a step in the right direction on seeking to reinvigorate a cross-strait dialogue,' White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe said.

Earlier Monday Hu called at the opening of the ruling Communist Party's five-yearly Congress for a peace agreement with Taiwan, but insisted that independence for the island would never be tolerated.

WASHINGTON, Oct 15, 2007 (AFP) - The United States gave a cautious welcome Monday to Chinese President Hu Jintao's call for a peace agreement with long-time rival Taiwan.

Washington 'encourages any movement by parties on both sides of the strait toward a peaceful agreement,' State Department spokeswoman Nicole Thompson told AFP, without specifically citing Hu's call.

Taiwan and China should 'increase communication and dialogue that will lead to a peaceful resolution of their differences,' she said.

BEIJING, Oct 15, 2007 (AFP) - Chinese President Hu Jintao on Monday called for a peace agreement with long-time rival Taiwan, but insisted independence for the island would never be tolerated.

'We would like to make a solemn appeal,' Hu said at the opening of the ruling Communist Party's five-yearly Congress.

TAIPEI, Oct 15, 2007 (AFP) - Taiwan on Monday categorically rejected Chinese President Hu Jintao's call for a peace agreement to be forged on the basis of Beijing's 'one-China principle,' which says the island is part of the mainland.

'What Hu said -- that the 'one-China' principle is the political basis of the peace development between the two sides -- is far away from reality,' Taiwan's cabinet-level Mainland Affairs Council said in a statement.

'Instead, we insist that democracy is the basis of peaceful development across the Strait.'

BEIJING, Oct 15, 2007 (AFP) - Chinese President Hu Jintao on Monday called for a peace agreement with Taiwan in a keynote speech at a party congress here, while insisting independence for the island would never be tolerated.

'We would like to make a solemn appeal,' Hu said at the opening of the ruling Communist Party's five-yearly Congress.

TAIPEI, Oct 15, 2007 (AFP) - EVA Airways, Taiwan's leading international carrier, said Monday it will launch cargo services to Houston from October 28, eyeing rising demand.

The carrier will provide two Taipei-Houston flights every week to raise the total weekly flights to cities in the US to 37 from 35, an EVA Air spokeswoman said.

'Houston houses major companies which produce machinery for Taiwan's high tech sector,' she said.

BEIJING, Oct 15, 2007 (AFP) - Chinese President Hu Jintao on Monday called for a peace agreement with Taiwan, while insisting independence for the island would never be tolerated, according to a copy of his speech given to the press.

'We would like to make a solemn appeal,' Hu was to say in his speech at the opening of the ruling Communist Party's five-yearly Congress.

TAIPEI, Oct 13, 2007 (AFP) - Thousands from Taiwan's gay and lesbian community marched through the streets of Taipei Saturday demanding more rights for homosexuals, organisers said.

The parade took a carnival-like mood with marchers waving rainbow flags, colourful balloons and signs. Some were dressed in flamboyant period costumes while others only wore swim trunks despite the cool weather.

'We have to make our voices and demands heard so that the government will do more to promote gay rights,' said Way Chao, a 22-year-old serviceman from southern Kaohsiung.

TAIPEI, Oct 13, 2007 (AFP) - Taiwanese prosecutors have indicted a pastor for sexually abusing 13 women in his congregation and are seeking a 15-year prison term for the man who has a prior conviction for molestation, a report said Saturday.

Tang Tai-shen, 58, was Friday indicted for allegedly sexually assaulting the women under the pretext of offering sex counselling and videotaping the sessions, the Apple Daily News said.

TAIPEI, Oct 12, 2007 (AFP) - Taiwan opposition presidential candidate Ma Ying-jeou's High Court trial for alleged corruption opened Friday, two months after he was cleared by a lower court.

Ma, former chairman of the main opposition Kuomintang (KMT), was greeted by dozens of supporters waving his photo and placards reading 'Return Ma Ying-jeou his innocence' outside the court house.

'I have firm confidence in my innocence and high expectations of the court, especially after I was found not guilty in the earlier trial,' he told reporters.

TAIPEI, Oct 12, 2007 (AFP) - Formosa Plastics group, Taiwan's leading petrochemical conglomerate, Friday proposed 706.8 billion Taiwan dollars (21.7 billion US) worth of investments over the next five years.

The projects include an expansion of its petrochemical complex in central Taiwan, a steel mill and two 12-inch (300 millimetre) wafer plants, a group official said. All projects are to be constructed in Taiwan.

TAIPEI, Oct 10, 2007 (AFP) - Taiwan flexed its military muscles Wednesday, showing off two home-developed missiles in a rare parade seen as a reminder to China that it has the weaponry to defend itself.

In a televised National Day address, President Chen Shui-bian said China's own military build-up posed a threat to world peace, and urged it to withdraw nearly 1,000 ballistic and cruise missiles aimed at the island.

He also insisted Taiwan would continue to press for a referendum on joining the United Nations under its own name.

TAIPEI, Oct 10, 2007 (AFP) - Taiwan flexed its military muscles Wednesday, showing off two home-developed missiles in a rare parade seen as a reminder to China that it has the weaponry to defend itself.

In a televised National Day address, President Chen Shui-bian said China's own military build-up posed a threat to world peace, and urged it to withdraw nearly 1,000 ballistic and cruise missiles aimed at the island.

He also insisted Taiwan would continue to press for a referendum on joining the United Nations under its own name.

TAIPEI, Oct 10, 2007 (AFP) - Taiwan flexed its military muscles Wednesday, showing off two home-developed missiles in a rare parade seen as a reminder to China that it has the weaponry to defend itself.

In a televised National Day address, President Chen Shui-bian said China's own military build-up posed a threat to world peace, and urged it to withdraw nearly 1,000 ballistic and cruise missiles aimed at the island.

He also insisted Taiwan would continue to press for a referendum on joining the United Nations under its own name.

TAIPEI, Oct 10, 2007 (AFP) - Taiwan's President Chen Shui-bian warned in a national address Wednesday that China's military build-up was threatening world peace, and urged it to halt military exercising targeting the island.

In a National Day speech ahead of a parade aimed at underscoring Taiwan's defence capabilities, he also called on China to withdraw ballistic missiles that are aimed at the island.

TAIPEI, Oct 9, 2007 (AFP) - Taiwanese contract microchip makers announced a sharp rise in sales on Tuesday which met market expectations on the back of strong demand from the consumer electronics sector.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), and peer United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC) enjoyed solid year-on-year gains.

'Third-quarter revenues of the two companies are in principle in line with our expectations,' Blue Chung, vice president of Capital Securities, told AFP.

TAIPEI, Oct 9, 2007 (AFP) - United Microelectronics Corporation said Tuesday its parent sales in September rose to 10.54 billion Taiwan dollars (323.3 million US), up from 10.43 billion of the previous month.

The September sales figures marked a rise of 14.17 percent year-on-year.

Parent sales for the first nine months of the year amounted to 79.15 billion, up 1.49 percent from the year-earlier period, said the world's second-largest wafer foundry.

In the third quarter to September alone, parent sales rose 23.64 percent sequentially to 31.03 billion dollars.

TAIPEI, Oct 9, 2007 (AFP) - Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company said Tuesday its consolidated sales in September dropped to 29.45 billion Taiwan dollars (903.4 million US), down from 30.02 billion of the previous month.

Parent sales for the month came in at 28.50 billion dollars, down from 29.20 billion registered in August but up 6.1 percent from a year earlier, said the world's largest contract maker of semiconductor chips.

Cumulative consolidated sales in the first nine months of the year fell 5.6 percent year-on-year to 228.77 billion dollars, it said.

TAIPEI, Oct 8, 2007 (AFP) - Taiwan is to showcase for the first time two locally developed missiles in a show of strength this week aimed at warning rival China that it is capable of striking back if attacked.

The island's military will unveil the supersonic Hsiung-feng 3 (Brave Wind) ship-to-ship missile and the Tien Kung 3 (Sky Bow) anti-missile system at Wednesday's National Day parade, Defence Minister Lee Tien-yu said Monday.

TAIPEI, Oct 8, 2007 (AFP) - Taiwan could showcase for the first time a locally developed cruise missile in a show of strength this week aimed at warning rival China that it is capable of striking back if attacked.

Taiwan's defence ministry declined to deny speculation that it would show off the missile during Wednesday's National Day military parade -- the first in 16 years.

'The display of military equipment is a kind of effective deterrent, so the Chinese communists will be aware that Taiwan is tough,' defence minister Lee Tien-yu said last week.

TAIPEI, Oct 7, 2007 (AFP) - Typhoon Krosa left five people dead and one missing in Taiwan before weakening into a tropical storm on Sunday, weathermen and rescuers said.

Krosa produced strong winds and rain, uprooted trees, interrupted traffic and triggered landslides.

Rescuers using bulldozers found two bodies -- a 60-year-old man and his 43-year-old son -- after mudslides crushed their house on Yangmingshan mountain outside Taipei, said the National Fire Agency, which coordinates rescue work.

TAIPEI, Oct 6, 2007 (AFP) - Typhoon Krosa pounded northern Taiwan with powerful winds and torrential rains Saturday, injuring at least three people, forcing shops and offices to close and disrupting air and road travel.

In Taipei, strong winds uprooted trees and damaged billboards while electricity supplies were temporarily disrupted in more than 10,000 households island-wide.

Many domestic trains, ferries and flights were cancelled while some international services to Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea and Vietnam were also suspended.

TAIPEI, Oct 6, 2007 (AFP) - Typhoon Krosa pounded northern Taiwan Saturday with powerful winds and torrential rain, forcing offices and schools to close and disrupting air and road traffic.

Many domestic trains and flights were cancelled while some international services to Hong Kong, South Korea and Vietnam were also suspended.

The central weather bureau's latest bulletin late on Friday said Krosa, meaning crane in the Khmer language, had a radius of 300 kilometres (186 miles) and gusts of up to 184 kilometres per hour.

TAIPEI, Oct 2, 2007 (AFP) - The board of Taiwan's leading carrier China Airlines Tuesday appointed a new chairman in a management reshuffle after a Boeing 737-800 exploded in a fireball last month on a runway in Japan.

The board passed a proposal making airline president Chao Kuo-shuai the new company chairman, replacing Philip Wei, who had resigned.

'All the directors cleared the proposal and named President Chao Kuo-shuai as the chairman,' spokesman Johnson Sun told reporters.

TAIPEI, Oct 2, 2007 (AFP) - The board of Taiwan's leading carrier China Airlines Tuesday appointed a new chairman in a management reshuffle after a Boeing 737-800 exploded in a fireball last month.

The board passed a proposal where Chao Kuo-shuai, president of the airline, replaced Philip Wei as company chairman. Wei had resigned.

'All the directors cleared the proposal and named President Chao Kuo-shuai as the chairman,' airline spokesman Johnson Sun told reporters.

BEIJING, Sept 30, 2007 (AFP) - China's Prime Minister Wen Jiabao called on the Taiwanese people to oppose independence and work for reunification in a speech Sunday marking the 58th anniversary of the People's Republic.

In a brief toast to gathered officials and diplomats in the Great Hall of the People, Wen also pledged that China's global political and economic rise would be peaceful.