Chinese bloggers and other Internet commentators have overwhelmingly accused the pro-independence Pan-Green alliance of staging the March 19 shooting in Taiwan, in which President Chen Shuibian and his deputy Annette Lu were slightly injured.
While the island reels in the aftermath of the incident and Taiwan authorities continued investigation, official Chinese media have given minimum attention to the surprise attack and its possible impacts. But many Chinese commentators on the Internet speculate that the ruling Democratic Progressive Party or its supporters staged the shooting to garner sympathy in a extremely tight race against the moderate Nationalists. Many predict the shooting will tilt the balance in favor of the Pan-Green camp, ensuring Chen’s re-election.
