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US concerned over Taiwan referendum on nuclear issue
Taipei, June 22: The United States has expressed concern that a proposed referendum in Taiwan on a nuclear issue could raise tensions between the island and China, since Beijing may see it as a step toward an independence vote, a top official said today.
Taipei, June 22: The United States has expressed concern that a proposed referendum in Taiwan on a nuclear issue could raise tensions between the island and China, since
Beijing may see it as a step toward an independence vote, a top official said today.
Taiwan is considering an island wide vote to settle a
long-standing debate over whether to continue or halt
construction of a partially complete nuclear power plant.
But several opposition lawmakers have opposed the plan, saying it would pave the way for a referendum on whether to seek formal independence from China.
China and Taiwan split amid civil war in 1949, but Beijing continues to claim sovereignty over the self-ruled island. China has repeatedly threatened to use military force if Taiwan makes any attempt to seek formal independence.
Chiou i-Jen, secretary general of the Taiwanese presidential office, insisted that a referendum on the nuclear power plant would have "nothing to do with the question of unification or independence," in remarks shown today on Taiwan's TVBS cable news channel.
But US officials were worried that "a referendum could bring unease and tension to cross-strait relations," he said. The United States is Taiwan's closest ally.
The semi-official central news agency quoted Taiwanese foreign minister Eugene Chien as saying the de facto US ambassador to Taiwan, Douglas Paal, had conveyed to him Washington's "strong concern" about the referendum issue. Bureau Report
But several opposition lawmakers have opposed the plan, saying it would pave the way for a referendum on whether to seek formal independence from China.
China and Taiwan split amid civil war in 1949, but Beijing continues to claim sovereignty over the self-ruled island. China has repeatedly threatened to use military force if Taiwan makes any attempt to seek formal independence.
Chiou i-Jen, secretary general of the Taiwanese presidential office, insisted that a referendum on the nuclear power plant would have "nothing to do with the question of unification or independence," in remarks shown today on Taiwan's TVBS cable news channel.
But US officials were worried that "a referendum could bring unease and tension to cross-strait relations," he said. The United States is Taiwan's closest ally.
The semi-official central news agency quoted Taiwanese foreign minister Eugene Chien as saying the de facto US ambassador to Taiwan, Douglas Paal, had conveyed to him Washington's "strong concern" about the referendum issue. Bureau Report