[ad_1]
Four questions were posed to the public, including the ban on importing ractopamine-containing pigs and whether they changed the location of the LNG terminal.
The referendum, which, if approved, could affect Taiwan’s relationship with the United States’ top aide and its strong defense did not end on Saturday, far behind opponents who cast their ballots as a show of independence.
In Saturday’s four referendums, two of the most controversial and influential people in the world asked if they could ban on importing pigs which contains ractopamine to increase weight loss, as well as alter the natural gas production area (LNG) to protect the stone.
The government agreed to sell pork last year, hoping to alleviate the frustration of free trade with the US, where ractopamine – a well-known diet used by U.S. pig farmers – is widely used, proving to be a reliable companion.
Pork is a staple of Taiwanese cuisine as well as a very important household item. About 90 percent of Taiwan’s pork is produced by local farmers, who are part of the island’s pro-agricultural community.
The issue has led to protests in the streets and in parliament.
In the meantime, the government has stated that the LNG facility will protect the island’s semiconductor power, and will reactivate the operation on land to reduce impact on the coast. Votes demanded a complete relocation.
Voters rejected the idea, just as the government had asked them to do, even though the population was small.
For a referendum to pass, at least 25 percent of the island’s 20 million eligible people must vote in favor, or five million votes.
In the end, about four million people voted “no” to four questions, more than those who voted “yes”.
Eric Chu, chairman of Taiwan’s main opposition party Kuomintang, or KMT, said the results were “not good” and apologized.
Referendum occurs every two years and the results are not binding.
The vote came as China pressured Taiwan to democratize Beijing, and tensions between the two have grown.
KMT was rigged in the presidential and parliamentary elections last year, unable to refute allegations from the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and President Tsai Ing-wen that KMT was too close to China.
[ad_2]
Source link
