TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — TPP chair Huang Kuo-chang (黃國昌) has spoken out about why he supports reopening the Maanshan Nuclear Power Plant in Pingtung County, which closed in May. 

“China does not need to attack Taiwan,” Huang said in a recent interview with Nikkei Asia reporter Thompson Chau. “China could announce military exercises near our natural gas stations and order ships from other countries to stay away.” 

He noted that this would be enough to cripple Taiwan's national security, as the country relies on imported natural gas for nearly half its energy, with stockpiles lasting less than two weeks.

The remarks come amid the run-up to the second round of legislative recall elections in Taiwan this weekend, when the reopening of the Maanshan plant will also be on the ballot. The reopening is supported by the TPP and KMT, while President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) and his incumbent DPP oppose it.

Nuclear power has long been a contentious issue in Taiwan, with the 2011 Fukushima accident redirecting the country onto a non-nuclear course due to similar earthquake risks as Japan. Currently, Taiwan has two other unused nuclear power plants — both in New Taipei City, where Huang will run for mayor next year.

The Nikkei report quotes former top environmental official Shieu Fuh-sheng (薛富盛) as speculating that Huang, who once opposed nuclear power, might be less eager to see nuclear plants open in New Taipei City than down south in Pingtung.