Taipei, Taiwan ? Hours after an assassination attempt against President Chen Shui-bian, Taiwanese stunned by the attack started voting early today in an election focused on the military threat from mainland China.

Gunfire hit Chen in the abdomen and Vice President Annette Lu in the knee as they rode through the president’s southern hometown of Tainan at midday Friday, waving to supporters from an open-top red Jeep. Neither leader was seriously wounded, and some analysts speculated the bizarre shooting could win Chen sympathy votes in the tight race.

The challenger, ex-Vice President Lien Chan, urged voters not to be swayed by their emotions as he cast his ballot, among the first people at the polls. “We must be brave and calm,” he said.

Besides picking a president, Taiwanese also are voting in their first referendum: It asks if Taiwan should beef up defenses if China refuses to withdraw missiles targeting the territory, and whether to seek talks with Beijing.

Chinese leaders have denounced the referendum, which they fear is a rehearsal for a vote on Taiwanese independence. The two sides split when the communists took over the Chinese mainland in 1949. Beijing wants Taiwan to rejoin the mainland and has threatened to attack if Taiwan seeks a permanent split.

China broke its official silence early today, saying only that the government was following developments. It failed to join other Asian governments in wishing Chen a quick recovery.

The noncommittal, two-sentence statement by Beijing’s Taiwan Affairs Office reflected a dilemma over how to respond without boosting the popularity of a Taiwanese leader that the communist mainland government reviles as a liar and traitor.