WONG:
Now over to Taiwan where the Democratic Progressive Party, the opposition to the ruling nationalist government, is celebrating its 22nd birthday. Ben Hedges brings us more.
STORY:
Here in Taipei the Democratic Progressive Party or DPP, marked its 22nd birthday with a large public rally. The party was founded in 1986 mainly by family members and lawyers of political prisoners and due to the laws at the time remained technically illegal until 1991.

It gained popularity throughout the 1990s and eventually won the Taiwanese presidential elections in the year 2000. It is part of the pan green union of parties who support Taiwanese nationalism and Taiwan independence and oppose pan blue coalition which includes the now ruling Chinese Nationalist Party.

Leong Kok Choong from the Taiwan Environmental Protection Union tells us about why he supports the Democratic Progressive Party.

[Leong Kok Choong, Environmental Protection Union]:
"In the future I feel tourism is very important, but in the development of tourism it is important to take care of the environment, I hope that the Democratic Progressive party can do a good job of looking after the environment.”

The event was attended by DPP chair person Tsai Ing-wen.

[Tsai Ing-wen, DPP Chairperson]:
"The closer we are to our supporters the better and besides we don't have much money to hold a big and complicated activity.”

The evening was rounded off with a musical performance and Tsai Ing-wen displayed her idea of being close to her supporters by sitting on the ground with the crowd.

This is Ben Hedges, NTD, Taipei.