Taiwan: Parade held to mark 100th anniversary

Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou on Monday called on Beijing to recognise the existence of the Republic of China, Taiwans formal name, and pledged to strengthen national defence in a speech commemorating Taiwans centennial year.Chinas Communist Party elite on Sunday marked a century since the Xinhai revolution in 1911, which ended millennia of rule by emperors.President Hu Jintao said Chinas history since the toppling of the Qing dynasty showed that one-party rule remained vital to the nations hopes for economic prosperity and political unity, including reunification with self-ruled Taiwan.But the partys version of the fall of the dynasty has been challenged by critics who say the chaotic chain of coups and insurrections that toppled the corrupt empire and subsequent violent faction conflicts and invasion by Japan are a reminder of the need for democratic reform in the present.Taiwanese President Ma on Monday urged China to face the existence of Taiwan, in light of history. Ma also called for a strong defence, amid strained ties with China over U.S. arms sales.Beijing strongly opposes the potential arms sale to the island it deems an illegitimate breakaway province. But Taiwan says it needs the jets to counter Chinas growing military strength.China has always regarded Taiwan as a breakaway province subject to unification with the mainland by force if necessary.