Pingtung residents protest referendum on nuclear power plant reactivation

Taipei, July 3 (CNA) A group of local residents staged a protest in Pingtung County on Thursday to oppose a public referendum that could lead to the reactivation of the Maanshan Nuclear Power Plant.

Holding banners outside the Pingtung County Council, more than 20 people from various professions criticized the opposition Kuomintang and Taiwan People's Party for proposing the referendum without consulting local residents.

Chiang Kuo-liang (江國樑), honorary chairman of a Pingtung cultural and educational development association, said the nuclear plant -- which operated for 40 years before shutting down in May -- is located on a seismic fault line.

At the time, the plant's safety relied on "the blessings of the gods," Chiang said sarcastically.

Lin Ya-wen (林雅文), a community college president, argued that the plant's aging equipment, seismic resistance and nuclear waste disposal are all critical issues that must be addressed first.

Citing Japan's Fukushima nuclear disaster, Weng Chen-hsia (翁禎霞), founder of a bookstore in Pingtung, said such incidents could affect generations to come.

"Energy issues are complicated matters that require immediate attention and should not be decided by a hasty referendum," Weng said.

According to Taiwan's Central Election Commission, five public forums will be held starting Aug. 7 to discuss a proposal to restart the Maanshan Nuclear Power Plant, ahead of a public referendum scheduled for Aug. 23.