Anti-nuclear protests held around Taiwan

Want China Times, CNA 2015-03-15

Protesters in Taipei perform a symbolic funeral calling for the termination of
all nuclear power plants in Taiwan, March 14. (Photo/CNA)

Anti-nuclear activists held protest marches in Taipei, Tainan and Kaohsiung simultaneously Saturday to call for an end to nuclear power in Taiwan.

The marches were organized to mark the fourth anniversary of Japan's Fukushima nuclear disaster and drew the participation of the members of 96 anti-nuclear groups.

In Taipei, the march took the format of a funeral to "bid farewell to nuclear power."

Meanwhile, the protest in Tainan resembled a Daoist religious parade. There were also performances by Japanese entertainment groups and students from Taiwan National University of the Arts.

Taiwan currently generates nearly 20% of its electricity from nuclear power at three plants around the country.

In April 2014, the administration of President Ma Ying-jeou decided to immediately halt construction of the nearly completed fourth nuclear power plant amid mounting public sentiment against nuclear power.

The government also said that the issue of whether the plant should be put into operation in the future will be determined by means of a national referendum.