29 February 2004	Sunday	08 Muharram 1425

TAIPEI, Feb 28: Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian and up to two million of his supporters formed a human chain down the length of the island on Saturday in its biggest ever protest against China.

The day-long demonstration to oppose China's deployment of nearly 500 missiles aimed at Taiwan is seen as Mr Chen's best chance of rallying support for his re-election in a March 20 vote.

After saying prayers and releasing a flock of white doves in the morning, the protesters raised joined hands and shouted "Yes Taiwan", "Oppose Missiles" and "Love Peace" down the 500-km west coast of Taiwan.

"We formed a great wall of democracy and a great wall of peace," Mr Chen told thousands of cheering supporters waving flags and blowing horns in the northern county of Miaoli.

"We showed the world our determination to recognise Taiwan and protect Taiwan," Chen said, flanked by former president Lee Teng-hui, who backs his re-election.

The rally ended peacefully.

Mr Chen's campaign is centred on a controversial referendum to be held during the election that will ask voters to back greater missile defences against China.

Beijing views the referendum as a dry run for a vote on independence that it says could lead to war.

The "Hand in Hand Taiwan" rally was inspired by a human chain in the Baltic states of Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania in 1989, when more than two million people called for independence from the Soviet Union.

Organisers estimated close to two million people took part in the event.-Reuters