Transcript The Republic of China (Taiwan)

Taiwan ROC & Hong Kong
Internal & External Politics
Taiwan ROC Government
President (4-year term after 1996)
The Five ``Yuan”:
Executive Yuan (Premier, ministers, etc.)
Legislative Yuan (3-year term)
Judicial Yuan (15 grand justices)
Examination Yuan and Control Yuan
National Assembly (constitutional issues)
Diplomatic Tug of War
162 countries recognize PRC as the
legitimate government of China
8 (’49) 32 (’59) 49 (’69) 113 (’79) 129 (’89)
27 countries recognize ROC as the
legitimate government of China
US Official Policy
US government shifted diplomatic
recognition from ROC to PRC in 1979
US congress passed Taiwan Relations Act
in 1979
American Institute in Taiwan
Taipei Economic and Cultural
Representative Offices in US
Economic Ties
Trade and investment expanded rapidly
despite restrictions by ROC government
Workaround: Hong Kong & Macau
``Three links”:
mail
transportation
trade
President Chen Shui-bian
pledged in 2000 that, unless the CCP used
military force against Taiwan, he would:
not declare Taiwan independent
not change the name of Republic of China
not hold referendum on independence
…
2002: “separate countries”
“referendum”
President Jiang Zemin:
``One-China principle is the basis for
cross-straits relations
``Both the mainland and Taiwan belong
to one China
``On the premise of the one-China
principle, all issues can be discussed”
Stress on cultural & economic exchanges
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Taiwan & Mainland's GDP Growth Rate
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PRC-UK Negotiations
Deng Xiaoping: “1 country, 2 systems”
PRC Constitution of 1982: S.A.R.
PRC & UK Joint Declaration in 1984
Handover to PRC
7th National People’s Congress adopted
Basic Law of HKSAR in Beijing in 1990
Became Hong Kong Special Administrative
Region of PRC in July 1, 1997
Basic Law of H K SAR
Stipulated in PRC-UK Joint Declaration in
1984
Drafted by a committee with members
from both Hong Kong and mainland
Adopted by 7th NPC in Beijing in 1990
Came into effect on July 1, 1997
Constitutional document for HKSAR
3 Principles in Basic Law
``One Country, Two Systems”
Capitalist system and way of life shall remain
unchanged for 50 years (B.L. A5)
``High Degree of Autonomy”
``Hong Kong People Running Hong Kong”
1 Country, 2 Systems
Legal system (British common law) shall
be maintained, except for any law that
contravene the Basic Law and subject to
amendment by the legislature (B.L. A8)
High Degree of Autonomy
HKSAR enjoys executive, legislative, and
independent judicial power, including that
of final adjudication (B.L. A2)
``HK People Running HK”
executive authorities and legislature shall
be composed of permanent residents of
Hong Kong (B.L. A3)
public servants must be permanent
residents of Hong Kong (some exceptions)
Central Government
responsible for defense and foreign affairs
relating to HKSAR (B.L. A13-14)
authorizes HKSAR to conduct relevant
external affairs on its own (B.L. A13)
HKSAR shall be responsible for the
maintenance of public order
11 PRC laws apply to HK (B.L. A18)
Rights and Freedoms
freedom of speech, of the press, of
publication, of association, of assembly, of
procession, of demonstration, of
communication, of movement, of
conscience, of religious belief, of
marriage..
the right and freedom to form and join
trade unions, and to strike
Three Branches
Chief Executive
Tung Chee Hwa
Legislative Council
Court of Final Appeal
S/election of C.E. & Legco
Shall be specified in the light of the actual
situation in the HKSAR and in accordance
with the principle of gradual and orderly
progress (B.L. A45 & A68)
The ultimate aim is the election of the
Chief Executive and all the members of
the Legislative Council by universal
suffrage (B.L. A45 & A68)
S/election of Legco
Chief Executive S/election
800-member Election Committee
industrial, commercial, and financial sectors
1/4
the professions 1/4
labor, social services, religious, & other 1/4
Legco, HK deputies to NPC, etc. 1/4
Tung Chee Hwa (1997 - 2007)
no more than two consecutive terms
Since 1997
Freedoms and rights substantially intact
dissident groups
Falun Gong
Judicial system remains the same
Weak executive and strong civil service
Lack of political skills
Multiple political parties
H.K.’s Competitiveness
Geographic location
one of the best deep-water ports in the
world
hardworking and well-educated workforce
literacy rate 94%
``World’s Freest Economy”
exports & imports each ~US$200b > GDP
GDP per capita: US$23,027
no VAT, sales tax, or capital gains tax
only 3 types of income are taxed:
profits, salaries, and property
31% live in public housing
Influence on Mainland
US$220 billion direct investment each way
Hong Kong bodies of law and expertise
Hong Kong attracts talents from mainland
Hong Kong radios, TV, newspapers,
magazines, and Internet on mainland