In response to the rejection of the Keelung sea protection referendum by the central government, Keelung Mayor Xie Guoliang held a temporary press conference this afternoon (2nd) and pointed out that he would ask the lead proposer to re-edit the text and send a new proposal. , as the mayor, I will directly approve it responsibly," so that Keelung people can express their views on the four cases.

(Photo by reporter Yu Zhaofu)

[Reporter Yu Zhaofu/Report from Keelung] Taipower Xiehe Power Plant plans to set up a fourth natural gas receiving station (referred to as the fourth receiving station) on the coast of Wai Mushan in Keelung. He pointed out that he would ask the lead proposer to re-edit the text and send a new proposal. According to the local system law, the four-way reclamation will involve local environmental protection issues, which is obviously a matter of local autonomy. He "will not send it to the central , as the mayor, I will directly approve it responsibly," and the follow-up procedure of the second-stage referendum can be carried out immediately.

The Ministry of the Interior confiscated the four joint petitions for a referendum against land reclamation initiated by the Keelung region, which was confiscated by the Ministry of the Interior on the grounds that it "does not belong to local autonomy matters", causing controversy among all parties.

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Xie Guoliang said that according to the self-government regulations of Keelung City referendum, the first hurdle for joint proposals is to be sent to the Keelung City Government, and the city government can approve it.

Xie Guoliang pointed out that the city government "may allow", "request corrections", "refuse and not allow" or "send to the Executive Yuan for confirmation if there are doubts". There is a big gap in legal recognition, Xie Guoliang said, but "how can environmental protection not be a matter of local autonomy?" "Marine protection is definitely a matter of local autonomy."

Xie Guoliang said that in accordance with Article 19 of the Local System Law, it is mentioned that health and environmental protection matters are involved. The four links are environmental protection issues, which will fill the sea, destroy the ecology, and cause public security concerns. If it is directly allowed, the second stage of the referendum follow-up procedure can be carried out immediately.

The Sea Protection Referendum Joint Signature Proposal is currently determined by the Ministry of the Interior as not a matter of local autonomy. The Keelung City Government can no longer ask for amendments, and the local government can no longer allow it. Therefore, it will send a document to the lead proposer to propose a new proposal, revise the text and make it more complete. He It will be approved immediately, and there is no need for the central government to make a decision.

Xie Guoliang believes that the people of Keelung absolutely have the right to express the power of referendum on the four issues. The city government is working hard towards this goal, and this thinking continues.