On May 23, 2024, Taiwan’s public policy advocates and think tanks, including the Taiwan Public Policy Institute, jointly held a seminar on the theme of “Deepening Democracy in Taiwan’s Political Changes – How to Promote Coordination and Cooperation between the Government and the Legislature.” Scholars and experts were invited to analyze and offer perspectives on the topic. Regarding the chaos in the Taiwanese parliament, experts mentioned that back in February, exiled writer Yuan Hongbing disclosed that Xi Jinping had instructed the occupation of the Taiwan Legislative Yuan.
President of the Republic of China, Lai Ching-te, and Vice President Hsiao Mei-chin were inaugurated on May 20, facing a challenging four-year term. The National Lawyers Association issued a statement on the proposal to forcibly pass four bills related to the exercise of powers brought by the Kuomintang (KMT, blue) and the People’s Party (white). They urged legislators to engage in substantive discussions and not disrupt the democratic constitutional system with partisan interests. On the 21st, the proposed amendments to the Parliament Powers Exercise Act by the blue and white parties passed the second reading. Outside, 40 civic groups gathered, presenting five demands to send the bills back to the committee for further review. By 9:10 PM that day, the organizers announced that around 30,000 people were protesting on-site.
During the seminar, East Asian University’s Professor of Political Science, Zhang Junhao, highlighted the ongoing civil movements outside the legislature, bringing attention to the interaction between the executive and legislative powers. President Lai Ching-te’s inaugural speech emphasized the need for “administrative-legislative cooperation to promote national governance,” a unprecedented focus in past inaugural speeches. Understanding the workings of the government, legislature, and the associations, as well as how to continue Taiwan’s democratic way of life, was stressed.
Dong Siqi, Deputy Executive Director of the Taiwan Think Tank for Public Policy, stated that democracy requires generations of continuous effort. President Lai Ching-te’s speech not only emphasized “administrative-legislative cooperation to promote national governance” but also innovatively mentioned “the world needs Taiwan, and Taiwan needs the world” for three reasons: the global democratic value chain, Indo-Pacific security chain, and democratic supply chain.
Reflecting on Taiwan’s current political landscape, Dong Siqi expressed concern over the unprecedented situation of a minority government after 16 years and the challenges of democratic transition. He emphasized the need for a better environment for democratic discourse, criticizing the recent undermining of democratic mechanisms in parliament by the KMT and the People’s Party.
From an international perspective, Taiwan’s experience is valuable as a successful case of economic and democratic transition. Focus should be on deepening democracy, turning challenges into opportunities through social discourse to safeguard the constitutional system from interference. Discussions must engage not only academically but also involve young individuals interested in Taiwan’s development to collectively address these challenges.
All political parties were urged to prioritize public opinion and engage in democratic discussions while ensuring Taiwan’s sovereignty remains intact. Without sovereignty, there can be no democracy, underscoring the importance of upholding Taiwan’s independence.
Professor Tsai Jung-hsiang from the National Chung Cheng University emphasized that while legislative oversight of the executive is normal, it must adhere to the rule of law. The current legislative involvement in administrative and judicial matters exceeded its scope, leading to concerns about unchecked expansion of legislative powers. Tsai stressed the need for checks and balances to avoid stalling government operations or hindering progress.
Soo Tzu-chiao, a professor at Soochow University, noted the deepening of democracy in Taiwan despite the current governance by a minority government. He discussed possible adjustments to break the current deadlock, such as revising current laws, constitutional interpretation, public referendums, or a vote of no confidence. Soo specifically mentioned the upcoming nomination of new grand justices in October by President Lai, potentially sparking new conflicts in the future.
Professor Yeh Yao-yuan from the University of St. Thomas, USA, criticized the extensive empowerment of the parliament, suggesting that the KMT’s intentions were to obstruct President Lai’s government over the next four years. He pointed out that the KMT’s references to the US State of the Union address were misleading, as the address is meant for the public, not an interrogation of the president by legislators as implied.
Professor Chen Hung-ming from Chung Yuan Christian University highlighted that disputes between the executive and legislative branches are not necessarily detrimental as they provide checks and balances to safeguard citizens’ rights. However, prolonged deadlock can lead to administrative standstill and hinder national progress. In the absence of midterm elections like in the US, Taiwan may face challenges in adjusting the deadlock between the president and the parliament over the next four years.
Professor Shen Yu-chung from Donghai University expressed pessimism about the future, fearing escalating conflicts between the executive and legislative branches. Concerns were raised regarding the unclear delineation of the president’s powers and responsibilities. He cautioned against expanding parliamentary powers uncontrollably, emphasizing the need to reduce institutional risks rather than fueling conflicts.
Following the discussions, participants delved into issues like civil disobedience, separation of powers, and parliamentary oversight, engaging in in-depth analyses and exchanges. Moreover, on the evening of the 22nd, the Taipei bureau chief of Japan’s Sankei Shimbun, Akio Yaita, highlighted the turmoil in Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan, sparking widespread protests. Yaita referenced his friend, exile writer Yuan Hongbing, who revealed China’s united front strategy back in February, suggesting a link to the current situation.
According to Yuan, after Xi Jinping’s directive, the Taiwan Affairs Office of the Chinese Communist Party swiftly moved to occupy the high ground in the Taiwan Legislative Yuan. The strategic points were disseminated to various provincial and local offices for implementation.
Adding further insights, Tang Jingyuan, a Chinese affairs expert based in the US, warned that the apparent political strife in Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan was a result of the CCP’s infiltration. He questioned the need for underhanded measures by the KMT when they had the numerical advantage, suggesting that it aligns with the CCP’s strategy to create chaos and interfere with Taiwan’s internal affairs.
Regarding the 30,000 people protesting outside the Legislative Yuan, Tang Jingyuan noted a heightened awakening among Taiwanese citizens akin to the Sunflower Movement 2.0. He emphasized that the Taiwan Strait conflict was escalating, transcending political struggles to embody a contest between Taiwanese democracy and CCP interference.