TAIPEI, Dec. 18 (Reuters) – Taiwanese are called to the polls on Saturday to participate in four referendums that could affect the island’s ties with the United States as well as its energy security.
The main opposition party, Kuomintang (KMT), which has failed to shake off accusations that it is too close to China, hopes the votes will demonstrate mistrust of the government.
The two most controversial and high profile referendums concern the ban on pork meat containing ractopamine, and the relocation of the site of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant in order to protect a reef.
The Taiwanese government last year allowed pork imports in hopes of spurring a free trade agreement with the United States, where ractopamine, an additive for leaner, more protein-rich meat, is widely used. used, showing that the island is a reliable partner.
The government has also declared that it will relocate the site of an LNG plant, which should enable it to meet the island’s energy needs, in order to minimize its impact on a reef.
A third vote concerns the restart of a nuclear power plant, while the government has pledged to stop using nuclear power.
(Report Ben Blanchard, with Sarah Wu; French version Camille Raynaud)
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