Following President Chen Shui-bian's (
Since 1991, the Constitution of the Republic of China (ROC) has passed through seven rounds of amendments, a high number compared to the constitutional history of other nations. Nevertheless, the Constitution is still far from satisfactory and there have been calls for further amendments. The heart of the matter is that the current Constitution was drawn up for a nation that encompassed China and its vast population, rather than the small nation of Taiwan.
Constitutional amendments face many more hurdles in Taiwan than in other countries. Some of these reflect domestic pressures, such as the desire of conservatives to leave the main text intact, while adding and subtracting articles, to preserve the continuity of the ROC's constitutional "legitimacy." On the international front, Taiwan is also prevented from drawing up a new constitution for fear of international perceptions that it is seeking independence. Amendment is further hindered by the requirement of a three-quarters majority in the legislature to pass amendments. Each round of constitutional amendment has been confined to resolving urgent political matters. Constitutional reform has therefore undergone many twists and turns, reflecting ongoing conflicts and compromises.
In 1990, most people believed that the original spirit of the Constitution tended toward a Cabinet system, and therefore proposed amendments based on this understanding. Following then-president Lee Teng-hui's (
A year ago, the majority of people favored a shift from the current dual-executive system to a presidential system, under which there is a clearer division of power and responsibility. But following the surge of support that brought Ma Ying-jeou (
Now that constitutional amendment has built up some momentum, it should be directed at longer-term goals. The public should be allowed to participate in the debate, there should be bottom-up discussions between the political parties, and the public should be educated about the importance of the nation's fundamental document. This will establish the new constitution as a foundation of long-term political and administrative stability.
I have heard people equate the government’s stance on resisting forced unification with China or the conditional reinstatement of the military court system with the rise of the Nazis before World War II. The comparison is absurd. There is no meaningful parallel between the government and Nazi Germany, nor does such a mindset exist within the general public in Taiwan. It is important to remember that the German public bore some responsibility for the horrors of the Holocaust. Post-World War II Germany’s transitional justice efforts were rooted in a national reckoning and introspection. Many Jews were sent to concentration camps not
Deflation in China is persisting, raising growing concerns domestically and internationally. Beijing’s stimulus policies introduced in September last year have largely been short-lived in financial markets and negligible in the real economy. Recent data showing disproportionately low bank loan growth relative to the expansion of the money supply suggest the limited effectiveness of the measures. Many have urged the government to take more decisive action, particularly through fiscal expansion, to avoid a deep deflationary spiral akin to Japan’s experience in the early 1990s. While Beijing’s policy choices remain uncertain, questions abound about the possible endgame for the Chinese economy if no decisive
China poses a dire threat to Taiwan’s semiconductor industry as it steps up efforts to poach Taiwan’s top chip talent, following the US’ implementation of stringent chip restrictions. Beijing is keen to develop its own semiconductor technologies, leveraging skilled engineers from Taiwan, Europe and other countries to circumvent US restrictions on providing China access to advanced US chips, particularly those used in artificial intelligence applications, as well as other chip technologies and manufacturing equipment. Taiwan has always contended with talent competition from China, but the situation is worsening. The Hsinchu District Prosecutors’ Office on Friday said that China’s ARK Semi and
Actress Michelle Yeoh (楊紫瓊) on March 13 posted an Instagram caption after the opening of Tiffany’s Taipei flagship store two days earlier that read: “Thank you Tiffany for inviting us to Taipei China.” We know that Yeoh knows Taipei is in Taiwan, not China, because the caption was posted following comments she made — in English — in which she said: “Thank you to Tiffany for bringing me to Taipei, because I do love this country very much.” Her remarks and the subsequent Instagram caption were reported in Taiwan, in Chinese and English- language media such as Radio Free Asia, and overseas,
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