1.   It marred an otherwise festive occasion for the Palestinians, who heard the pope give moral weight to their statehood claims as the world watched.

2.   Lee and his deputies have stood by his statehood claims despite military pressure from Beijing and political pressure from Washington.

3.   Lee made the statehood claim at a time when Beijing has pushed hard for political talks on reunification.

4.   Taiwan reaffirms statehood claim but seeks to placate China.

5.   While talking peace, Lee also warned China against imposing a blockade of the island or even launching a war because of his statehood claim.