Taipei - Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou has seen his approval rating nearly halved since his May 20 inauguration because of public anger over the island's deteriorating economy, a newspaper poll published Wednesday found.

The telephone poll of 1,029 adults by the United Daily News showed that satisfaction with Ma has dropped from 66 per cent on his inauguration day to its lowest level, 37 per cent, on Tuesday.

Taipei  - Taiwan's ex-president Chen Shui-bian, who was hospitalized after being on a hunger strike since November 12, was sent back to the Taipei Detention Centre Wednesday, a hospital spokesman said.

"After treatment, his conditions, including high blood pressure, stomach and other problems, are stable. We have notified the Taipei Detention Centre he is fit to leave the hospital," said Dr Yang Chang-ping, spokesman of the Panchiao Hospital.

He said Chen appeared calm when told he would be sent back for detention.

Taipei  - Taiwan stocks finished 3 per cent lower Tuesday as uncertainties over the island's and the global economy dampened investor sentiment, dealers said.

The benchmark Taiex index dropped 134.62 points, or 3.03 per cent, to close at 4,305.18.

Taiex opened sharply lower in reaction to Wall Street's overnight fall, caused by US banking giant Citigroup's announcement of massive lay-offs.

Taipei  - Taiwan said Tuesday it will issue purchase vouchers to boost spending and pull the retail sector out of recession.

Premier Liu Chao-shiuan said that the government plans to allocate 82 billion Taiwan dollars (2.48 billion US dollars) to issue purchase vouchers to every citizen.

Each voucher is worth 3,600 Taiwan dollars (109 US dollars) and should be used within one year of its issuance. "We plan to issue it as soon as possible, maybe around the Chinese New Year holidays (February 2009)," he told a news conference.

Taipei- Taiwan's former vice president Lien Chan Monday headed to Peru for the November 22 leaders' summit of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, becoming the highest-ranking envoy from the island to attend the annual event.

Leading a 13-member delegation of foreign and economic affairs experts and officials, Lien was to stop at New York for three days before flying to Lima on November 20.