Taiwanese Rally Renews Attempt to Join UN

Tens of thousands of Taiwanese took to the streets today to again seek a seat at the UN. The UN has rejected previous attempts to join under its official name, the Republic of China, so the island nation now tries to join as Taiwan. But the bid is certain to fail because most UN members won't risk damaging diplomatic relations with China, BBC News reports.

Held in the southern city of Kaohsiung—a stronghold for the ruling Democratic Progressive Party—the protest drew 100,000 by police estimates, and hundreds of thousands according to organizers. China has promised to respond with force if Taiwan moves toward formal independence, and President Hu Jintao warned that the referendum could bring a "possibly dangerous period." (More Taiwan stories.)