Taipei - A top US envoy in Taiwan Wednesday urged the island to fully allow imports of US beef products if the two sides are to further increase their trade relationship.

"Resuming imports of all US beef and beef products would further invigorate this important trading relationship," said Stephen Young, director of American Institute in Taiwan, the de facto US embassy in Taipei.

Taipei - Taiwan's former president Chen Shui-bian was remanded into custody Wednesday after his arrest on graft allegations, becoming the first former president to be detained in Taiwan's history.

He is now known as 2630, a number he would be referred to so long as he is kept at the Taipei Penitentiary.

Like what other Taiwanese detainees have encountered, he was made to strip and given a thorough bodily search before putting on clothes for detainees, a penitentiary spokesman said.

Taipei - Many people in Taiwan on Wednesday welcomed the detainment of former President Chen Shui-bian on graft charges, accusing him of being corrupt and greedy, but independence supporters warned of potentially violent repercussions.

After the Taipei District Court on Wednesday ordered Chen, 57, detained at the Taipei Penitentiary, some people set off firecrackers and popped champagne to celebrate.

Taipei  - Taiwan's former president Chen Shui-bian was remanded into custody Wednesday after his arrest on graft allegations, becoming first former president to be detained in Taiwan's history.

The Taipei District Court ordered Chen detained at about 7 am (2300 GMT Tuesday) following an overnight court hearing, which opened after his detention by the Supreme Prosecutor's Office, which questioned Chen Tuesday.