President Chen Shui-bian (
Chen will make his decision known when he receives the organizers of the march at the Presidential Office, he said after a news conference at which the march organizer, the "Democracy, Peace and Defend Taiwan Alliance" (
One model is a white globe that Su called a "shining pearl," signifying Taiwan's love of peace and insistence on democracy. The other is a red globe with long spikes, resembling a sea urchin and symbolizing China's violence-oriented autocracy, according to Su.
PHOTO: GEORGE TSORNG, TAIPEI TIMES
The two "spiritual forts" signify the strong contrast between the natures of Taiwan and China, Su said.
"The red sea urchin with long pointed spikes also symbolizes China's missiles targeted at Taiwan and the SARS virus spreading to Taiwan, which both convey an uncomfortable feeling of suppression, evil and danger. It is an impression that China has given Taiwan and the whole world," Su added.
At yesterday's news conference, presidential adviser Lee Yuan-chen (李元貞) and the former president of the Taiwan Junior Chamber (國際青年商會), Tsai Shih-yin (蔡世寅), joined fellow alliance members in piercing red balloons resembling sea urchins.
They said the action represents resistance to an invasion by China.
Meanwhile, the alliance has prepared about a dozen mobile phone messages that can be downloaded from its Web site and sent to young people to encourage them to take part in the march.
"We know that young people love using mobile messages to communicate with their friends, and we hope these messages will promote their participation in the march," Cheng Wen-tsan (
Later yesterday, Cheng, DPP caucus whip Peter Lin (
Wang did not give an answer immediately, saying he needed more time to think about it.
Taipei City spokesman Yu Tze-hsiang (
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