Shih Ming-teh, leader of the "Red shirts" which protested against President Chen Shui-bian at last year's National Day celebrations, on Wednesday attended the ceremony once again despite warnings from Chen that he would be arrested, according to Taiwan-based media.

Followed by dozens of "Red shirt" protestors, Shih arrived at the ceremonial site outside Chen's office on Wednesday morning and took a VIP seat at the invitation of the security department.

Shih stayed in his seat for only a few minutes before leaving the area and holding a meeting with journalists. "I have come here," he told Taiwan's security head, "And I'm leaving if you don't arrest me."

He ridiculed Chen Shui-bian for claiming that any "Red shirt" protestors would be arrested if they dared to come to the gathering.

Shih, a former chairman of Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), is a fierce critic of the current regime, labeling it corrupt.

The "Red shirts" have demanded that Chen step down for a spate of corruption scandals involving himself, his wife and close associates.

(Xinhua News Agency October 11, 2007)