Taiwan’s president and vice president survived an apparent assassination attempt a day before the island was due to vote in an election and a landmark referendum on relations with China. President Chen Shui-bian and Vice President Annette Lu suffered minor injuries after being shot as they paraded through Chen’s southern stronghold of Tainan in an open-topped jeep, said Chen’s spokesman Chiou I-jen. The pair were taken to the Chi Mei hospital in the town 300 kilometres (180 miles) south of Taipei but were later discharged and the presidential vote and referendum would go ahead on Saturday, Chiou told reporters. Chen suffered an 11-centimetre-long gash when a bullet gouged his abdomen. The wound was sealed with 14 stitches, said hospital director Jan Chi-hsien. He said Vice President Lu suffered a bullet graze on her right knee. Full Story