TAIPEI - TAIWAN'S ex-leader Chen Shui-bian on Wednesday published a second book penned while in jail awaiting trial on graft charges, in which he details his regrets in not achieving independence from China.

The 335-page Voices that Can't Be Shut In is a collection of 50 letters Chen wrote to himself, his family and to local politicians, as well as to Taiwan's current president Ma Ying-jeou and Chinese President Hu Jintao.

In the letter to himself, Chen wrote how he regretted that he did not declare formal independence for the self-ruled island before he left office in May.

'You didn't declare Taiwan independent and hold a referendum on independence. You could have done it but you didn't and you let the Taiwanese people down,' Chen wrote, addressing himself.

In the letter to Mr Hu, he claimed that Beijing 'dared not' deal with his government because of his persistence on Taiwan's sovereignty and accused his successor, Mr Ma, of being soft on China.

Chen, whose pro-independence policies were a source of irritation for Beijing, faces charges including embezzlement, money laundering and taking bribes relating to his eight years in office.

The combative former president maintains his innocence, accusing the current Beijing-friendly government of leading a witch hunt against him.

Chen's first book and prison diary Taiwan's Cross was published on Jan 19 and has already sold 39,000 copies to become a bestseller, according to his office.

The ex-leader is set to appear before court again on Thursday, as his trial continues on bribery allegations in the first of several cases implicating him and his family.

He faces life in prison if convicted on all counts in a long-running saga that has already seen his wife, son and daughter-in-law plead guilty to money laundering.

Some legal experts have expressed concern over the handling of Chen's case, including the court's decision to detain him before trial and to switch the presiding judge. -- AFP