Taiwan Hebdo no. 25-2024 | China Policy Observatory [OPCh]

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President Lai Ching-te said that although he signed recent controversial amendments on Monday that will strengthen the Legislature’s power to sign them into law, he will soon seek a ruling from the Constitutional Court. Lai said he supports legislative reforms, but not unconstitutional expansion of legislative power.

According to Lai, The investigative powers of the Legislative Yuan must not infringe on the judicial power, specifically the powers of the Control Yuan. Therefore, the president said that he would seek a ruling from the Constitutional Court to safeguard the constitutional order.

Regarding the president being required by the amendments to deliver an annual address to the Legislature and answering questions from lawmakers at the time, Lai said it was an “attempt to change the constitutional design of responsible government.” Under the current framework, the president is not responsible to the Legislative Yuan and is not required to deliver a speech to the Legislative Branch. However, he may choose to do so voluntarily. Lai had previously declared that he was willing to deliver it to the Legislature under an agreement in accordance with the Constitution.

The opposition has argued that the Constitutional Court judges were appointed by the ruling Democratic Progressive Party administration and are therefore likely to rule in favor of the current government. In response, Lai said they were appointed by different administrations and their ruling will be to safeguard Taiwan’s democratic constitutional order.

Context observations

Defense Minister Wellington Koo confirmed on Tuesday, June 18, the sighting of a Chinese submarine off the coast of Penghu. The incident occurred while Penghu fishermen were fishing near the median line of the Taiwan Strait on Tuesday. Fishermen said they saw the submarine surface, followed by the arrival of a Chinese warship that escorted the submarine back to China. Analysts suggest that it could be a Type 094 nuclear submarine, capable of carrying up to 12 JL-3 ballistic missiles.
President Lai Ching-te established three new government committees on Wednesday, June 19 to address the island’s growing challenges on issues of climate change and energy consumption, protection against natural disasters and public health. Lai announced the creation of the National Climate Change Response Committee, National All-Society Defense Resilience Committee, and Healthy Taiwan Promotion Committee. “The goal of these committees is to develop national strategies, engage in dialogue with civil society, deepen cooperation with the international community and take measures for the future of Taiwan,” Lai said.
Hsiao spoke at an event organized by the British think tank Chatham House Thursday and answered questions from the media. When asked about Beijing’s perception of President Lai’s inaugural speech as provocative, Hsiao responded that Beijing is the “provocateur” in the cross-Strait relationship. He said China should try to reassure Taiwan by “renouncing the use of force.” Hsiao stated: “War is not an option and dialogue is the only way forward.”
Supporters of the Blue Bird Movement of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and supporters of the Blue Eagle Movement of the Kuomintang (KMT) They appeared in front of the Legislative Yuan on Friday, June 21, amid a vote on controversial amendments. The Legislative Yuan voted again on amendments passed in May to expand its powers after they were returned for reconsideration by the Cabinet.
China has announced a series of measures aimed at what it calls “Taiwan separatism and independence,” according to reports on Friday, June 21. At the Taiwan Affairs Office in Beijing, representatives of judicial and public security bodies presented an “opinion” on what they called actions promoting separatism. The new measures also include a series of sanctions such as detention, prison sentences of less than three years to life imprisonment, the death penalty and confiscation of possessions.
A delegation from St. Kitts and Nevis led by Prime Minister Terrance Drew arrived in Taiwan on Saturday, June 22., marking his second visit to the country. The delegation included the Prime Minister’s wife, Diani Prince-Drew, Foreign Minister Denzil Douglas, Nevis Island Premier Mark Brantley and other officials. They will be in Taiwan from June 22 to 26 to visit businesses and cultural facilities.

Relevant data

A survey conducted by the Taiwan Public Opinion Foundation showed that the majority of Taiwanese did not know the contents of the recently contested amendment bills. When participants were asked how familiar they are with the content of the parliamentary reform amendments that have passed the third reading, the results showed: 33.5% are not very familiar, 23.5% are not familiar at all while 10.6% are very familiar and 28.8% have some familiarity.
Taiwan ranked eighth on the global competitiveness list of the International Institute for Management Development (IMD) of Switzerland. Compared to last year, Taiwan fell two places compared to last year. Taiwan’s decline is mainly attributed to weak global demand affecting Taiwan’s manufacturing sector.
Taiwan’s export orders increased 7% in May compared to the same month last yearsaid the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) on Thursday, June 20. The total for May reached 48.89 billion dollars.
The General Directorate of Budget, Accounting and Statistics (DGBAS) announced that the country’s unemployment rate fell last month to 3.34%, the figure was the lowest in 24 years for May.