Kaufman, the co-founder of the Global Forum for Democracy, visited Keelung Mayor Hsieh Kwok-liang today, and the two sides exchanged views on the implementation of direct democracy. Hsieh Kwok-leung said after the meeting that Kaufman suggested that the text structure of the referendum could be revised, and that he would find civic groups to study the text amendments. Promote the implementation of the sea protection referendum.

(Photo by reporter Yu Zhaofu)

[Reporter Yu Zhaofu/Report from Keelung] Bruno Kaufman, the co-founder of the Democracy Global Forum, visited Keelung Mayor Xie Guoliang this morning, and the two sides exchanged views on direct democracy; Reply, Kaufman said, can be restructured, corrected text content, so that the public can proceed, and the city government will discuss this part with referendum groups to think about how to solve the problem.

Taipower plans to change the 4 fuel-fired units of the Xiehe Thermal Power Plant into 2 gas-fired units, and plans to reclaim land on the coast of Waimushan to build the fourth natural gas receiving station commonly known as "four connections". Former Keelung city councilors Wang Xingzhi and Chen Weizhong , Zhang Yuanxiang and others launched a referendum on sea protection. The main text of the proposal is "Do you agree that the Keelung City Government should refuse to reclaim land from the coast and sea areas of Keelung City by the Xiehe Power Plant (including its subsidiary facility, the Fourth Natural Gas Receiving Station).

Xie Guoliang, who was still a candidate for mayor of Keelung at the time, also publicly expressed his support.

Please read on...

Kaufman visited the Keelung City Government today accompanied by Zhang Tianzhu, chairman of the Negative Votes Association. Zhang Yuanxiang, the civil affairs director in charge of arranging the meeting, said that Kaufman from Sweden used to be a journalist, and later had the opportunity to serve as the deputy mayor for 8 years. His daughter ran for parliamentary election at the age of 18 and was elected. She has been concerned about the implementation of direct democracy in various places for many years.

Xie Guoliang voluntarily mentioned the Keelung City Sea Protection Referendum Joint Signature Case, which was rejected by the central competent authority. Kaufman said that in foreign countries, it is normal for the central and local governments to disagree. Thinking about it again, the most important thing is to let the people have the opportunity to directly participate in democracy, and that is the true meaning of democracy and freedom.

Xie Guoliang said that Kaufman's statement opened his mind. He will invite members of the Waimushan Action Group to discuss again and restructure the text so that the public can hold a referendum on the sea protection referendum. Only in this way can democracy and freedom be implemented. .

Kaufman, co-founder of the Global Forum for Democracy, visited Keelung Mayor Hsieh Kwok-liang today, and the two sides exchanged views on the implementation of direct democracy;

(Photo by reporter Yu Zhaofu)