Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian was confident of the necessary 50 per cent turnout for his referendum on boosting the island's defences, which has enraged arch-foe China, a magazine said on Monday.

Chen has closely tied his campaign for re-election on March 20 to the contentious referendum asking whether Taiwan should increase its defences against 500 Chinese missiles aimed at the island, and if the foes should open talks.

Beijing, which regards the self-ruled island as a breakaway province that must be reunified one day, sees the ballot as a dry run for a future vote on independence that could lead to war.

In an interview with Wealth magazine published yesterday, Chen said an opinion poll by his Democratic Progressive Party found more than 50 per cent of voters would support the referendum and he would also win a second four-year term. ?The referendum will definitely pass the 50 per cent mark,? Chen told the influential magazine. ?This represents the mainstream values of Taiwan society,? he said. ?As long as we are on the right side of history, more people will come out and support it despite some confusion and doubts.?

However, a weekend public opinion poll by the China Times newspaper found 37.6 per cent of 3,391 voters polled would not pick up a referendum ballot. The referendum will be rendered void if fewer than 50 percent of voters touch a referendum ballot paper, although even picking up a paper will count as having taken part.

Chen said his opponent would damage his chances in the closely fought election if his Nationalist Party boycotts the referendum. ?If you reject the referendum today, you will eventually be rejected by the people,? Chen said.

Nationalist presidential contender and former vice president Lien Chan, who has said he will not vote in the referendum, has avoided calling for a boycott, fearing it would be labelled as anti-democratic. But his party has begun airing television advertisements urging voters to refuse to cast referendum ballots.

Chen, who swept to power with 39 per cent of support in a three-way presidential race in 2000, told the magazine he would be re-elected with more than 50 per cent of votes this time.

Alice Hung