The billionaire owner of the Evergreen liner shipping empire Chang Yung-fa dealt Taiwan president Chen Shui-bian a blow just hours before a sensational assassination attempt. Taiwan's president and vice president were victims of a motorcade shooting that echoed the Kennedy murder during campaigning ahead of Saturday's elections. News of the attack shocked Taiwan although neither politician suffered life threatening injuries. Chang, who endorsed Chen's presidential campaign in 2000, indicated he had changed his position when he called for voters to support the candidate who could best deliver better relations with mainland China. Chen favours Taiwan moving towards independence from China
TradeWinds