Lin Yi-hsiung ends hunger strike

Taipei, April 30 (CNA) Former Democratic Progressive Party Chairman Lin Yi-hsiung on Wednesday ended a hunger strike that had lasted for nearly a week.

"In response to the sincere concerns of Taiwanese, I've decided to stop the hunger strike," Lin said in a public letter, and he vowed to devote the rest of his life to join forces with others and defend Taiwan's democracy and sovereignty.

Lin started his hunger strike on April 22 to push for a halt to construction of Taiwan's nearly completed fourth nuclear power plant.

His move triggered widespread anti-nuclear protests around the island, and President Ma Ying-jeou bowed to the public pressure on Apr. 27 when he decided to stop work on the plant indefinitely and have its fate determined by a referendum in the future.

(By Sofia Yeh and Maubo Chang; click here for the updated story) ENDITEM/ls