Graduates of a military academy wave their caps after a photo session
with Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian at a graduation ceremony in Taipei
on July 11, 2003. Taiwan's parliament failed on Thursday to approve a
controversial new law which would have angered China by allowing the
island to hold referendums. China, which regards self-governing Taiwan
as a breakaway province that must eventually be reunited with the
mainland, says a referendum law is the first step towards a public vote
on independence, a move Beijing has warned would lead to disaster.
REUTERS/Simon Kwong

SK/CP