Ruling and opposition parties were in agreement yesterday that the US should not stop Taiwan from holding referendums to decide matters concerning internal affairs.
Chinese-language newspapers on Saturday reported that in a meeting with President Chen Shui-bian (
Chen pledged in May to hold two referendums coinciding with the next presidential election on March 18 regarding Taiwan's entry into the World Health Organization and whether construction of the Fourth Nuclear Power Plant should continue.
DPP Deputy Secretary-General Lee Ying-yuan (李應元) said yesterday he wasn't fully aware of the whole situation, but that it would be fine for the US to pay attention to Taiwan's referendum on the fate of the Fourth Nuclear Power Plant because it concerns US companies who hold many of the site's construction contracts.
However, Lee said any difference of opinion between the US and Taiwan could be resolved through further communications.
Lee, a former deputy representative to the US, said that US concerns over the referendum are normal because bilateral relations between the US and Taiwan have intensified in a number of areas, including the US' selling of weapons to Taiwan and negotiations over a free-trade agreement.
He also said that a referendum is not a move to promote Taiwanese independence.
Pan-blue leaders also said the US cannot interfere in Taiwan's internal affairs.
"Even though Taiwan's timing of the referendum and the kind of issues discussed should be considered discreetly, Taiwanese citizen still have the right to express their opinions on public policies," PFP Chairman James Soong (
KMT Chairman Lien Chan (
DPP legislative caucus whip Chen Chi-mai (陳其邁) said a referendum vote is a basic individual right of any citizen in a democratic country, and it is not right for the US to oppose it.
"The US is a democratic country and for years it has held referendums concerning issues of public administration and construction," Chen said. "It is unlikely the US would oppose the idea of a plebiscite."
The DPP will continue to push for draft bills of the referendum law (公投法) or the initiation and recall law (創制複決法) in the legislature in a bid to realize the twin referendums, Chen said.
Premier Yu Shyi-kun said on June 14 that a referendum is the direct exercise of civil rights, which can be found in what he claimed the "rights of initiative and referendum stipulated in the Constitution."
Hong Kong singer Eason Chan’s (陳奕迅) concerts in Kaohsiung this weekend have been postponed after he was diagnosed with Covid-19 this morning, the organizer said today. Chan’s “FEAR and DREAMS” concert which was scheduled to be held in the coming three days at the Kaohsiung Arena would be rescheduled to May 29, 30 and 31, while the three shows scheduled over the next weekend, from May 23 to 25, would be held as usual, Universal Music said in a statement. Ticket holders can apply for a full refund or attend the postponed concerts with the same seating, the organizer said. Refund arrangements would
Taiwanese indie band Sunset Rollercoaster and South Korean outfit Hyukoh collectively received the most nominations at this year’s Golden Melody Awards, earning a total of seven nods from the jury on Wednesday. The bands collaborated on their 2024 album AAA, which received nominations for best band, best album producer, best album design and best vocal album recording. “Young Man,” a single from the album, earned nominations for song of the year and best music video, while another track, “Antenna,” also received a best music video nomination. Late Hong Kong-American singer Khalil Fong (方大同) was named the jury award winner for his 2024 album
Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) on Friday laid out the Cabinet’s updated policy agenda and recapped the government’s achievements ahead of the one-year anniversary of President William Lai’s (賴清德) inauguration. Cho said the government had made progress across a range of areas, including rebuilding Hualien, cracking down on fraud, improving pedestrian safety and promoting economic growth. “I hope the public will not have the impression that the Cabinet only asked the legislature to reconsider a bunch of legal amendments,” Cho said, calling the moves “necessary” to protect constitutional governance and the public’s interest. The Cabinet would work toward achieving its “1+7” plan, he said. The
Palauan President Surangel Whipps Jr arrived in Taiwan last night to kick off his first visit to the country since beginning his second term earlier this year. After arriving at Taoyuan International Airport at around 6:30 pm, Whipps and his delegation were welcomed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍). Speaking to gathered media, the Palauan leader said he was excited and honored to be back in Taiwan on his first state visit to Taiwan since he was sworn in this January. Among those traveling with Whipps is Minister of State Gustav N. Aitaro, Public Infrastructure
RSS