![Taiwan president calls for new constitution](https://www.jurist.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/jurist-white-text.png)
[JURIST] While campaigning on behalf of fellow members of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian has called for a new constitution for the island, one that "fits today's realities in Taiwan." President Chen said Sunday that constitutional changes were necessary to "protect human rights, boost government efficiency, and upgrade the country's competitiveness." China claims the island as part of its territory. Taiwan has been ruled separately since members of the Chinese Nationalist party fled from the Communists to the island in 1949. Taiwan has parliamentary elections on December 11, which Chen hopes will result in the election of more members of his pro-independence DPP. The current constitution is here. BBC News has background on Taiwan and the DPP. AFP has more.