Taiwanese referendum defeats major opposition backlash | News

Four questions were put to the public, including whether to ban the import of pork with ractopamine and whether to change the site of the LNG terminal.

Admittedly, referendums that could affect Taiwan’s relationship with the key U.S. protectorate and its energy security were not approved on Saturday as a sign of a lack of confidence in the government in a major backlash from the opposition.

Of the four referendums on Saturday, two debated and high-ranking ones were asked whether or not ban the importation of pork which contains additional ractopamine to improve leanness, and whether the site of a planned liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal should be changed to protect a reef.

The government approved pig imports last year with the aim of removing the barrier to a free trade agreement with the US, where ractopamine – a common supplemental feed used by US pig farmers – is widely used and a reliable partner.

Pork is a staple of Taiwanese cuisine and an important household product. About 90 percent of Taiwan’s pork is supplied by local farmers, who are part of the island’s strong agricultural lobby.

The issue has sparked protests in the streets and in parliament.

Meanwhile, the government says the LNG terminal will guarantee the island’s energy supply, which produces semiconductors, and will place the project further offshore to minimize the effects of the reef. The vote sought a complete relocation.

Voters rejected the proposals, as requested by the government, even though turnout was low.

For a referendum to pass, at least 25 percent of the island’s 20 million voters must vote in favor, or about five million.

In the end, about four million people voted “no” to the four questions, more than those who voted “yes”.

Eric Chu, president of the Taiwan Kuomintang or KMT main opposition party, said the result was “not ideal” and apologized.

Referendums are held every two years and their results are not binding.

Votes have come because China has pressured Democratic Taiwan to accept Beijing’s claims to sovereignty, and tensions between the two have risen.

KMT was hit in the presidential and parliamentary elections last year by the KMT, which was too close to China, unable to shake the accusations of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and President Tsai Ing-wen.