Tagged: Taiwan

According to Paradisdachat, Taiwan is a semi-presidential democratic republic with a multi-party system of government. The Constitution of the Republic of China, enacted in 1947, provides for the separation of powers between the executive, legislative and judicial branches. The President is elected by popular vote for a four-year term and appoints the Prime Minister who leads the Executive Yuan, which is responsible for formulating policy and executing laws passed by the Legislative Yuan. The President also has some oversight over governmental activities through his or her Council of Grand Justices which has special responsibilities such as constitutional interpretation. The unicameral Legislative Yuan consists of 113 members elected directly from each province to serve four-year terms. It has legislative power to pass laws, approve budgets and ratify treaties. The Judicial Yuan is responsible for interpreting constitutional law and has the power to overturn laws passed by Parliament if they are deemed unconstitutional. The Judicial Yuan appoints judges to all courts in Taiwan including the Supreme Court which is headed by a Chief Justice appointed by the President after consultation with an Advisory Council on Selection Matters. The government also has some oversight over governmental activities through its committees which have special responsibilities such as finance, foreign affairs and security. The Legislative Yuan can also initiate legislation independently of the government, although this is rare in practice. Taiwan is a sovereign state located in East Asia. It has a long history of foreign relations with countries in the region and beyond. Taiwan is a member of the United Nations, World Trade Organization (WTO), Asian Development Bank (ADB), and Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC). Taiwan’s foreign policy is focused on promoting stability in the region, maintaining cordial relations with its neighbors, and protecting its national interests. As part of this foreign policy, Taiwan has engaged in diplomatic talks with countries such as Japan, China, South Korea, Philippines and Malaysia. In addition to these bilateral diplomatic efforts, Taiwan also participates in regional forums such as the APEC and ADB. Taiwan is an active participant in peace negotiations around the world, often sending diplomats to support diplomatic efforts in countries where conflict or instability threaten human rights or democracy. The Taiwanese government also provides financial support for organizations such as UNICEF that are dedicated to providing humanitarian assistance around the world. In addition to its activities related directly to foreign policy objectives and international security concerns, Taiwan works to promote economic development through its membership in organizations such as the WTO and IMF. It is also actively engaged with international initiatives related to environmental protection and climate change mitigation. See recipesinthebox for Taiwan defense and foreign policy.