The son of a former Taiwanese vice-president was shot in the face at a rally on the outskirts of Taipei last night while campaigning for tomorrow's local elections.

台湾国民党名誉主席连战之子在昨晚台湾近郊的集会活动中脸部中弹，他是为第二天的地区选举出席该活动的。

Hospital officials said Lien Cheng-wen, also known as Sean Lien, 40, the son of Lien Chan, was undergoing emergency surgery but was in a stable condition. The 40-year-old was conscious on arrival and his life is not thought to be in danger.

医院官方表示现年40岁的连战之子连胜文在医院接受了紧急手术，但情况稳定，抵达医院时神智清醒，没有生命危险。

Taiwanese media said a 29-year-old man was shot dead at the event. Reports said a man arrested at the scene on suspicion of the shootings was nicknamed "Horseface", suggesting he was probably a gang member, and that the suspect had said his target was a city council candidate for whom Lien was campaigning. Some reports suggested the shooting was not politically related.

台湾媒体称有一位29岁的男子被当场击毙，一位外号“马脸”的男子因为有射杀嫌疑而当场被捕。据悉该名男子是黑道帮派成员，并声称其袭击目标是连胜文参加的竞选委员会。而有些报道则表示枪击与政治无关。

Lien is not standing in the elections himself although he serves on the Nationalist party central committee. His family has played a prominent role in the island's politics for decades and his father served in numerous ministerial roles.

连胜文本人并不是参选人，身为国民党中间力量为议员候选人助威。其家族在台湾政坛颇有影响力，其父连战曾在内阁身居高职。

President Ma Ying-jeou, who attended the hospital where Lien was being treated, told reporters: "Taiwan is a democracy. We will not tolerate such violence."

马英九赴连胜文接受治疗的医院探访，并表示：“台湾是个民主的地方，我们不能容忍这种暴力行为的出现。”

Police chiefs said security for tomorrow's elections would be stepped up following the incident.

警局表示第二天的选举保安会因为这一事件而加强。