PRESIDENT Chen Shui-bian has instructed Taiwan's diplomats abroadto tell their host governments that the Taiwanese still want UN membership despite the failure of a referendum on the topic.

In Saturday's referendum, voters were asked whether Taiwan should apply to join the United Nations under the name 'Taiwan', instead of the island's official title 'Republic of China' (ROC).

'Even though this referendum didn't pass, Taiwan still wants to get in,' said Mr Joseph Wu, Taiwan's top envoy to the United States.

'Taiwan is a bit afraid that China will distort this (by) saying we have no urge to join.'

He added that the diplomatic foray could be Mr Chen's last after almost eight years in office.

China claims Taiwan as its territory although the two sides split in 1949. Beijing has repeatedly blocked Taiwan's attempts to join the UN.

REUTERS