Republic of China United Nations membership referendums, 2008

Two referendums on the participation of the Republic of China (Taiwan) in the United Nations were put to Republic of China voters on March 22, 2008, the same day as the presidential election.^[1]

The first referendum question, supported by the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) of President Chen Shui-bian,^[2] asked whether voters agree that the government should seek United Nations membership under the name "Taiwan".^[1] The second referendum question, supported by the Kuomintang (KMT), which on the same day won the presidential election,^[2] asked whether voters supported "our nation" seek to "return" to the United Nations and join other international organisations under "flexible and practical strategies", including joining as "Republic of China", "Taiwan", or any other name that aids success and national dignity.^[1]

The ROC Central Election Commission has declared the failure of both referendums due to low turnout. The presidential election held at the same time had a turn out rate at 76.33%.

Politics

The format of the referendums has been controversial, with much of the discussion occurring before the Republic of China transitional justice referendum held in January 2008.

Note that while the two referendums are each supported by one of the two major parties in Taiwan, they both stand formally as voter-initiated, rather than government-sponsored, referendums.^[1] Furthermore, while the KMT initiated one of the two referendums, it has encouraged its voters to at least boycott the DPP-initiated referendum, and expressed its understanding if supporters chose to boycott both referendums. In practice, while KMT officials such as presidential candidate Ma Ying-jeou and chairman Wu Po-hsiung received ballot papers for the KMT-sponsored referendum, their family and other KMT officials, such as chairman emeritus Lien Chan refused to take ballot papers for either referendum. Former president Lee Teng-hui did not take either ballot paper, which he said was because he "forgot" to bring the documentation, although reporters at the scene pointed out to him that he did not need documentation to vote. The low number of voters participating in the referendums meant that neither reached the minimum threshold of participation by 50% of all eligible voters to become effective. DPP officials, including president Chen Shui-bian, called on voters to vote in both referendums.

Questions and results

Question 5

National Referendum Proposal No. 5 was first initiated by You Si-kun (Yu Shyi-kun), former Premier of the ROC and former chairman of the Democratic Progressive Party. The topic was "Application to become a new member of the United Nations under the name “Taiwan”"

Question 6

National Referendum Proposal No. 6 was first initiated by Vincent Siew, former Premier of the ROC and current Vice President-elect.

Both referendums were invalidated since turnout were below the minimum requirement of 50% of registered voters.

External responses

 United States: The United States Department of State has stated that it opposed a referendum on membership in the United Nations. While it strongly supports Taiwan's democratic development and is not opposed to referendums in principle, it is against "any initiative that appears designed to change Taiwan's status unilaterally."^[3][4] In September 2007, Zogby International conducted an opinion poll on the support of this referendum, the result shows over 61% of Americans believe that the US government should support the referendum.^[5][6]

 Japan: A Japanese company also conducted a poll on the same issue; the result shows over 74% Japanese support Taiwan's entry into the UN, and over 81% support the referendum.^[7] However, this referendum has not become a major political issue in either the United States or Japan.

 China: The People's Republic of China made relatively few comments on the issue. It argued that the referendum would "endanger peace and stability across the Strait and the Asia-Pacific region.",^[8] and was "pinning hope on the Taiwan people" and will keep promoting cross-Strait exchanges to strengthen opposition to secessionist forces. It had stated that it appreciated the US opposition to the referendum.^[9] After the referendums were defeated due to low voter turnout, the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council of the People's Republic of China commented that the results showed the lack of popular support for independence in Taiwan. The Bureau also expressed optimism for the two governments to work together to maintain cross-strait peace and aid development in future.^[10]

Domestic reaction to international reactions

Taiwan president Chen Shui-bian has accused both the United States and the European Union of caving into PRC pressure over the referendum.^[11]

Opinion polling

• Referendum on applying for United Nations membership under the name of "Taiwan"

• Referendum on flexible participation in international organizations

Note: Opinion polls may be subjected to sampling biases.

References

Bibliography

• http://vote2008-3.nat.gov.tw/en/R0/00000000000.html

External links

• official press kit for the Republic of China United Nations membership referendum, 2008