Taipei, March 29 (CNA) Republic of China President Chen Shui-bian reaffirmed his commitment Friday to completing legislative reform during his present term in office.
Addressing the opening session of a seminar on crafting a new Legislature, Chen said he is determined to overcome all possible difficulties in revamping the Legislative Yuan as part of an ambitious government restructuring plan.
Noting that the rejuvenation of the executive branch of government is shifting into high gear, Chen said legislative reform should not lag behind. "No matter what obstacles or challenges we may encounter in the process, I will deliver on my campaign promise to complete legislative reform during my four-year term of office," Chen pledged.
He pointed out that highlights of the much-anticipated legislative reform will include a reasonable reduction in the number of legislative seats, a revamping of the legislative electoral system, adjustments to the tenure of legislators and the election schedule, and modifications to the Legislature's internal operation rules.
After six rounds of constitutional amendments over the past decade, Chen went on, the Legislative Yuan has become the Republic of China's sole central public opinion organ. Many powers originally exercised by the National Assembly, including the power to ammend the ROC Constitution and the power to impeach or recall the president, have been transferred to the Legislature. "All these changes have highlighted the importance of the legislative chamber in our governing hierarchy," Chen said. "And it has also become a common expectation that the Legislature operates rationally and efficiently to fairly reflect public opinion and oversee government operations."
Since his inauguration, Chen said he fully understands the public's fervent expectations for domestic political reform. In his view, Chen said, legislative reform should be the most fundamental and priority task as the results of legislative reform will have a profound impact on the consolidation of Taiwan's young democracy, the upgrading of social culture and the strengthening of the island's economic competitiveness.
In view of the widespread public discontent with the Legislature's past performance in both the structural and operational dimensions, Chen said he will do his utmost to push for sweeping legislative reform based on the overall national interest and general public opinion.