58% WANT REFERENDUM AS HEDGE AGAINST ANTI-SECESSION LAW: POLL

Taiwan E-Government Site ^ | 123104

[Paul_Denton]

Taipei, Dec. 31 (CNA) More than half of local people responding to a recent opinion survey support a proposal to hold a defensive referendum to protect Taiwan's sovereignty in the face of Beijing's so-called anti-secession legislation, a private think tank said Friday. The Taiwan Thinktank conducted a telephone poll of 1,070 randomly chosen adult residents around the island from Dec. 28-29 to explore their views about the mainland's plan to enact an anti-secession law targeting Taiwan next year. The survey results show that 52 percent of the respondents were aware of Beijing's so-called anti-secession legislation plan, compared to 47 percent who said they had not heard of such a plan. Nearly 80 percent said they think the anti-secession law will give Beijing an excuse to invade Taiwan in the future and will facilitate its attempt to drive a wedge into the Taiwan people. To cope with Beijing's plan, 58 percent said Taiwan should hold a defensive referendum to protect Taiwan's sovereign status, but 27 percent said they were opposed to such a proposal. Under Taiwan's referendum law, the president can call a national referendum when the nation's sovereignty is threatened. While 53 percent said the United States should dissuade Beijing from going ahead with its plan, 22 percent said they do not think the United States should do so. According to the survey results, 53 percent said they believe Beijing's anti-secession legislation will hinder a resumption of cross-Taiwan Strait dialogue, 48 percent said the legislation will affect Taiwan's democratic development, 70 percent said the legislation could further suppress Taiwan's diplomatic space and 64 percent said the legislation will heighten cross-strait tension. Up to 88 percent said the major domestic political parties should stop their bickering or war of attrition and work together to address the mainland's ever-intensifying threat to Taiwan. (By Sofia Wu) ENDITEM/J 

[LoneRangerMassachusetts]

Why don't the Taiwanese enact a law that Mainland China can't secede from Taiwan (China). Then start rattling the saber. We need some amusement. The mainland has lots more bodies than Taiwan, but both have the same expenditures toward their militaries. The mainland spends considerable effort in clamping down on internal decent. I wonder just how much of a real threat they are to Taiwan.

[Paul_Denton]

While the PRC cannot launch an actual invasion the missiles pointated at Taiwan could still kill a lot of civilians making such an action comparable to terrorism. Taiwan should get nukes and adopt a policy of mutually assured destruction.