Taiwan president eyes referendum in March

Chen faces a tough battle for re-election next year and analysts say the referendum is a key part of his campaign and is also aimed at trying to provoke an angry reaction from China to consolidate support at home.

"On March 20 next year, we can hold a referendum to safeguard national sovereignty, to defend national security," Chen told a campaign rally late on Saturday. His comments were broadcast on local cable news networks.

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Taiwan's parliament approved a bill on Thursday allowing referendums on constitutional changes as well as a "defensive referendum" on sovereignty in the event of an attack from China or other national security threat.

Lawmakers dropped the most controversial part of the legislation -- a clause explicitly saying referendums can be held on independence or on changing the island's name or flag -- which China had vehemently opposed.

But Chen appeared to be ready to try to put the "defensive referendum" to use.

"Facing an external threat is a present tense for Taiwan, the country's sovereignty may be altered any time," Chen said.

"A defensive referendum is defensive in nature. If we wait until the Communists attack, it will be too late. There will be no need to hold a referendum."

Beijing views Taiwan as a breakaway province to be brought back into the fold, by force if necessary. It said after the bill's passage that it was gravely concerned and would never tolerate an attempt to separate the island from the mainland.

"It's a very risky move," said Hu Fo, political science professor at National Taiwan University. "It will provoke China, upset the United States, and make mainstream voters uneasy. It's hard to say it will help his re-election chances."

Nationalist chairman Lien Chan, who will battle Chen in the next presidential election, accused him of putting the island's security at risk.