Free Republic

Taiwan leader surrenders powers Mr Chen's personal popularity is at an all-time low Taiwan's President Chen Shui-bian has ceded some powers to try and deflect a political crisis caused by a corruption scandal implicating a family member. He said he was handing control of the cabinet to the prime minister and would take no part in political campaigning. But Mr Chen's spokesman said he would remain in charge of foreign and defence policy, and oversee ties with China. Mr Chen's announcement comes a week after his son-in-law was detained on suspicion of illegal share trading. The case against Chao Chien-ming...