A van exploded in the carpark of Taipei’s main train station on Thursday and police found four other suspected explosive devices nearby, raising tensions just two days ahead of crucial parliamentary polls. Nobody was hurt in the blast but the van and two other vehicles were gutted by fire, police said, adding that security levels had been raised. Two local television stations said somebody “opposing independence” had sent them a letter claiming that four explosive devices had been planted in the station and Taipei 101, the world’s tallest building. No explosives were found in a police search of the 508-meter (1,674-feet)building but four suspected devices were discovered near entrances of the train station. Taipei Mayor Ma Ying-jeou ordered police “to reinforce security to ensure the smooth running of Saturday’s vote”, which pits pro-independence parties backed by President Chen Shui-bian against parties led by the opposition Kuomintang, which favours friendly ties with Beijing. Despite their split in 1949 at the end of a civil war, Beijing considers Taiwan as part of its territory and has threatened to invade if it moves towards independence. Analysts said Taiwan has been divided since the disputed re-election of Chen, head of the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party, as president in March. Chen, whose 2000 election victory ended 51 years of Kuomintang rule, was re-elected a day after being slightly wounded in a mysterious shooting incident which has never been solved. Tensions between Taipei and Beijing have also been fraught since Chen’s re-election. Full Story
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