1.   But in a sign that independence sentiment remains deep among many core supporters, the charter will not be overhauled as sweepingly as Chen and others had wanted.

2.   The request is likely to anger Beijing, which regards Taiwan as a renegade province and has been trying to dampen independence sentiment on the island.

3.   A senior Chinese military commander urged Gen. John Shalikashvili, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, Tuesday not to encourage independence sentiment on Taiwan.

4.   A Taiwanese official on Sunday warned China that its diplomatic blockade only fuels independence sentiment on the island.

5.   And the two sides appeared near to blows over growing independence sentiment on Taiwan.

6.   Beijing accused Lee of abandoning the shared goal of reunification with China, and held threatening military exercises near the island to dampen independence sentiment.

7.   Beijing followed up with a nine-month campaign of intermittent military exercises and missile tests aimed at deterring independence sentiment on the island.

8.   But independence sentiment remains strong among many Tibetans.

9.   China claims sovereignty over Taiwan and staged a series of war games off the island in March to discourage independence sentiment.

10.   It staged military maneuvers and launched test missiles to discourage independence sentiment during a Taiwan presidential election last March.