"Referendum is a normal practice in democratic countries and is the basic right of the people which they cannot be deprived of," Chen told a press conference.

"The Taiwanese people will hold the historic referendum on March 20, which will have nothing to do with independence nor intend to change the cross-strait status quo," Chen said.

The Taiwanese leader made the comments after being formally nominated presidential candidate by his pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party.

Chen said Sunday the referendum was aimed at asking China to dismantle the 496 ballistic missiles targeting Taiwan and renounce the use of force against the island.

But the proposed referendum has outraged Beijing -- which regards Taiwan as a part of China -- and on Tuesday provoked stern words from US President George W. Bush, who voiced Washington's disapproval of the ballot.

Chen ensured more ire from China on Wednesday by saying if elected he would push for a further referendum in 2006 for a new constitution that would make Taiwan a "great country which functions normally."

He said the 2004 presidential elections, in which he is running against Lien Chan from the Kuomintang (KMT), would be a contest between "one side, one country" and "one China" ideologies.

The KMT favors co-existence with the mainland and an eventual reunification of the two rivals, separated in 1949 at the end of a civil war.

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