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ROC referendum, 2004

Nationwide referendum proposal 1
台灣人民堅持台海問題應該和平解決。如果中共不撤除瞄準台灣的飛彈、不放棄對台灣使用武力，您是否贊成政府增加購置反飛彈裝備，以強化台灣自我防衛能力？
(See below for translation)
Location Taiwan
Date March 20, 2004 (2004-03-20)
Results
Votes  %
Yes 6,511,216 91.80%
No 581,413 8.20%
Valid votes 7,092,629 95.17%
Invalid or blank votes 359,711 4.83%
Total votes 7,452,340 100.00%
Registered voters/turnout 16,497,746 45.17%
Website: Central Election Commission (Chinese)
Nationwide referendum proposal 2
您是否同意政府與中共展開協商，推動建立兩岸和平穩定的互動架構，以謀求兩岸的共識與人民的福祉？
(See below for translation)
Location Taiwan
Date March 20, 2004 (2004-03-20)
Results
Votes  %
Yes 6,319,663 92.05%
No 545,911 7.95%
Valid votes 6,865,574 92.23%
Invalid or blank votes 578,574 7.77%
Total votes 7,444,148 100.00%
Registered voters/turnout 16,497,746 45.12%
Website: Central Election Commission (Chinese)

A nationwide consultative referendum (全國性公民投票) was held in Taiwan on March 20, 2004 to coincide with the 2004 presidential election. Voters were asked two questions regarding the relationship between Taiwan (ROC) and China (PRC), and how Taiwan should relate to China. The initiation of this referendum by President Chen Shui-bian came under intense criticism from China because it was seen as an exercise for an eventual vote on Taiwan independence. The Pan-Blue Coalition urged a boycott, citing that the referendum was illegal and unnecessary. Voters agreed by wide margins on the two questions put forth by the government, but the less than 50% voter turnout invalidated the result.

Both results were rendered void since turnout were below the minimum requirement of 50% of registered voters. Note that English translations shown are not official.

The vetting of the referendum bill appeared to alarm Beijing which issued more sharp threats of a strong reaction if a referendum bill passed which would allow a vote on sovereignty issues such as the territory and flag of the ROC. The final bill that was passed by the Legislative Yuan on November 27, 2003 did not contain restrictions on the content of any referendums, but did include very high hurdles for referendums on constitutional issues. These hurdles were largely put in place by the Pan-Blue Coalition majority in the legislature. The bill also contained a provision for a defensive referendum to be called if the sovereignty of the ROC was under threat. In response to the referendum passage, Beijing issued vague statements of unease.

On November 29, 2004, President Chen Shui-bian announced that given that the PRC had missiles aimed at Taiwan, he had the power under the defensive referendum clause to order a referendum on sovereignty, although he did not do so under pressure by USA. This statement was very strongly criticized both by Beijing and by the Pan-Blue Coalition. But instead, he proposed a referendum to ask the PRC to remove the hundreds of missiles it has aimed at Taiwan.


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