Politics of the Republic of China

The Republic of China (ROC) currently has jurisdiction over Taiwan, Kinmen, Matsu, and the Pescadores Islands (Penghu) and several smaller islands. Taiwan's two major cities, Taipei and Kaohsiung, are centrally administered municipalities. The rest of Taiwan and the Penghu Islands are administered together as the Province of Taiwan. Kinmen, Matsu, and smaller nearby islands are administered as counties of Fukien (Fujian) Province.

Government

Country name:

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conventional long form:

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Republic of China

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conventional short form:

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Taiwan

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local long form:

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Chung-hua Min-kuo (Wade-Giles)

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Zhonghua Minguo (Hanyu Pinyin)

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Jhonghua Minguo (Tongyong Pinyin)

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local short form:

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Taiwan

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abbreviation:

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ROC

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Data code:

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TW

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Government type:

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multiparty democratic republic headed by popularly elected president (multi-party democracy)

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Capital:

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Nanking (now Nanjing); Taipei (provisional)

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National holiday:

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National Day, 10 October (1911) (Anniversary of the Wuchang Uprising)

Related Topics:
10 October - Wuchang Uprising

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Constitution:

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1 January 1947, amended in 1992, 1994, 1997, and 1999

Related Topics:
1 January - 1947

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Legal system:

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based on civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations

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Suffrage:

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20 years of age; universal

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Executive branch:

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elections:

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President and Vice-President elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms; election last held 20 March 2004 (next to be held NA March 2008); premier appointed by the president; vice premiers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the premier

Related Topics:
20 March - 2004

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election results:

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Chen Shui-bian elected president; percent of vote - Chen Shui-bian (DPP) 50.11%, Lien Chan (KMT) 49.89%.

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• ROC presidential election, 1996
• ROC presidential election, 2000
• ROC presidential election, 2004

head of government: Premier (President of the Executive Yuan) Shyi-kun YU (since 1 February 2002) and Vice Premier (Vice President of the Executive Yuan) Hsin-yi LIN (since 1 February 2002)

Related Topics:
1 February - 2002

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cabinetExecutive Yuan appointed by the president

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Legislative branch:

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Unicameral Legislative Yuan (225 seats - 168 elected by popular vote, 41 elected on the basis of the proportion of nationwide (only territories exercising effective control) votes received by participating political parties, eight elected from overseas Chinese constituencies on the basis of the proportion of nationwide votes received by participating political parties, eight elected by popular vote among the aboriginal populations; members serve three-year terms)

Related Topics:
Legislative Yuan - Aboriginal populations

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Although the constitution had a provision for a unicameral National Assembly which originally had the sole power to amend the constitution and later only had the power to ratify constitutional amendments passed by the Legislative Yuan, the National Assembly permanently abolished itself in 2005. Ratification of constitutional amendments passed by the Legislative Yuan now requires an absolute majority of all eligible voters of the Republic, irrespective of voter turnout.

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elections:

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Legislative Yuan - last held December 8, 2001 (next to be held NA December 2004);

Related Topics:
December 8 - 2001

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election results:

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Legislative Yuan - percent of vote by party - DPP 39%, KMT 30%, PFP 20%, TSU 6%, independents and other parties 5%; seats by party - DPP 87, KMT 68, PFP 46, TSU 13, independents and other parties 11

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Judicial branch:

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Judicial Yuan, justices appointed by the president with the consent of the Legislative Yuan

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Political pressure groups and leaders:

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Taiwan independence movement, various business and environmental groups

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note:

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debate on Taiwan independence has become acceptable within the mainstream of domestic politics on Taiwan; political liberalization and the increased representation of opposition parties in the Legislative Yuan have opened public debate on the island's national identity; advocates of Taiwan independence oppose the ruling party's traditional stand that the island will eventually reunify with mainland China; goals of the Taiwan independence movement include establishing a sovereign Republic of Taiwan; other organizations supporting Taiwan independence include the World United Formosans for Independence and the Organization for Taiwan Nation Building.

Related Topics:
Taiwan independence - Republic of Taiwan

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