Changhua presbytery issues statement against Petrochemical Corp.

["Taiwan Church News" <enews@pctpress.org>]

      Taiwan Church News

      3052 Edition

      August 23~29, 2010

       

       

      Changhua presbytery issues statement against Petrochemical Corp.

       

      Reported by Chen Wei-chien

      Written by Lydia Ma

       

       



      In keeping with its religious convictions and its concern for 
the environment, 

      Changhua Presbytery passed a resolution in August to call a 
press conference in 

      response to Kuo-Kuang Petrochemical Technology Corporation’s 
plan to build a 

      new ethylene refinery along Changhua’s coastline.

       



      After holding a press conference on August 21 and issuing a 
statement on the 

      impact of an ethylene refinery on the ecosystem along 
Changhua’s west coast, the 

      presbytery proceeded to hold seminars and collect petitions so 
that local residents’ 

      views could be heard loud and clear.

       



      According to reports, more than 25% of pastors from Changhua 
Presbytery and 

      other high-level PCT officials were present during this press 
conference. Joined by 

      local residents, they began signing petitions at the end of the 
press conference.

       



      Changhua Presbytery Moderator, Rev. Liu Te-shing pointed out 
that religion must 

      be an integral part of life. Christians must love this land 
just as they love God, the 

      one who gave us this land. Kuo-Kuang Petrochemical Technology 
Corporation’s 

      plan to build a new refinery not only bars residents from using 
this land now but also 

      precludes future generations from ever enjoying it.

       



      “The government lacks clear and long-term land use policies. 
We’re very proud of 

      having the largest wetland in Taiwan and enjoy taking our kids 
there. Would you 

      ever take your kids to an industrial park to play? We refuse to 
trade our children’s 

      rights to live in this land in exchange for monetary 
compensation,” Liu said.

       



      As for Kuo-Kuang Corporation’s explanation that new and 
environmentally- friendly 

      plants were being built to replace old ones emitting too much 
pollution and its view 

      that residents shouldn’t oppose building new plants for this 
reason, Liu replied he’d 

      heard the same rhetoric in the past when past government 
administrations sought 

      to build Taiwan’s second and third nuclear power plants and a 
petrochemical complex.

       



      The statement issued by the presbytery contains 9 clauses, 
including a call to 

      respect and protect life, environment, sustainable development, 
justice, 

      marginalized people; opposition to highly polluting industries, 
and a halt to 

      construction of the plant until a consensus is reached among 
residents.

       



      The presbytery will hold three more seminars in mid-September 
at various 

      churches in Changhua. Presbytery leaders haven’t ruled out the 
possibility of 

      travelling to Taipei and voicing their concerns to the Ma 
administration if local 

      government officials continue to ignore their pleas.

                                   



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