On November 27, the Legislative Yuan passes a Referendum Law that strictly limits the topics for referenda but allows "defensive referenda" in the event of "an external threat that could interfere with national sovereignty." Two days later, Chen announces that he plans to schedule a defensive referendum in March to coincide with the next presidential election. Under pressure from the United States, Chen tones down the questions, which call on China to withdraw ballistic missiles aimed at Taiwan and demand that China renounce the use of force. The proposals for referenda are viewed by China as new steps toward legalization of the independence or separation of Taiwan.