The Presidency

As introduced by the Yearbook of Republic of China:

The president of the Republic of China is the highest representative of the nation and is granted specific constitutional powers to conduct national affairs. Scores of agencies and advisors assist the president in reaching decisions on state affairs. They include senior advisors, national policy advisors, military advisors, and organizations and institutions such as the Academia Sinica, Academia Historica, National Security Council, and National Unification Council.

The May 20, 1996, inauguration of President Lee Teng-hui as the ninth-term president of the ROC ushered in a new period of development for the then 84-year-old republic. Lee now continues in the presidency as the first popularly elected head of state in Chinese history. Taiwan has undergone dramatic changes since Lee became the head of state in 1988 upon the death of President Chiang Ching-kuo. After accomplishing astounding economic development over the decades, the ROC achieved an equivalent political miracle - the much acclaimed "quiet revolutions."

Functions

As chief of state, the president represents the country in its foreign relations and at state functions. All acts of state are conducted in his name, including command of the land, sea, and air forces; promulgation of laws and decrees; declaration of martial law with the approval of the Legislature; conclusion of treaties; declaration of war and cease-fire; convening of the National Assembly; granting of amnesty and commutations; appointment and removal of civil service officials and military officers; and conferring of honors and decorations. All these powers are exercised in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution and the law.

Special Powers

Nominating Officials

The President is entitled to appoint the president of the Executive Yuan. With the consent of the Legislature, he also appoints the auditor-general of the Control Yuan. With the consent of the National Assembly, he appoints the president, vice president, and the grand justices of the Judicial Yuan (Judiciary); the president, vice president, and members of the Examination Yuan; and the president, vice president, and members of the Control Yuan.

Resolving Inter-Branch Disputes

In the event of a dispute among the various branches, such as a controversy between the Executive Yuan and the Legislature, the president may intervene to seek a solution. Article 44 of the Constitution states: "In case of disputes between two or more branches other than those for which there are relevant provisions in the Constitution, the president may call a meeting of the presidents of the branches concerned for consultation with a view to reaching a solution."

Exercising Emergency Powers

According to Article 2 of the Additional Articles of the Constitution of the Republic of China revised in July 1997, the president may, by resolution of a council of the Executive Yuan, issue emergency orders and take all necessary measures to avert an imminent threat to the security of the state or the people, or to cope with any serious financial or economic crisis, without being subject to the restrictions prescribed in Article 43 of the Constitution. However, such orders must, within 10 days of issuance, be presented to the Legislature for confirmation. Should the Legislature withhold confirmation, the said emergency orders immediately cease to be valid.

Dissolving the Legislative Yuan

The President may, within ten days following passage by the Legislative Yuan of a no-confidence vote against the president of the Executive Yuan, declare the dissolution of the Legislative Yuan after consulting with its president. However, the President may not dissolve the Legislative Yuan while martial law or an emergency order is in effect. Following the dissolution of the Legislative Yuan, an election for legislators will be held within 60 days. The new Legislative Yuan is to convene of its own accord within ten days after the results of the said election have been confirmed, and the term of the said Legislative Yuan will be figured from that date.

Following the dissolution of the Legislative Yuan by the president and prior to the inauguration of its newly elected members, the Legislative Yuan will be regarded as in recess.

The Office of the President

Administration

The secretary-general to the president takes general charge of the affairs of the Office of the President and directs and supervises staff members. He is assisted by two deputy secretaries-general.

The bureaus and offices under the Office of the President perform the following functions: The First Bureau is in charge of promulgation of laws and decrees, drafting and safekeeping of confidential documents, and other general political affairs, while the bureau director also serves as chancellor of the national seal; the Second Bureau is in charge of information systems and transmission of documents; the Third Bureau is in charge of protocol and awarding honors, making and distributing official seals, publications, and other administrative and technical affairs; the Code Office is in charge of telegraphic correspondence and national archives; the Office of the Guards is in charge of security. A Department of Public Affairs, set up in January 1996, is in charge of public relations.

Subordinate Offices

There are four institutions under the direct administrative supervision of the Office of the President: Academia Sinica, Academia Historica, the National Unification Council, and the National Security Council.

The Academia Sinica, the leading research institution in the ROC, was established in Nanking on June 9, 1928. Its two basic missions are to conduct scientific research, and to direct, coordinate, and promote scientific research throughout the ROC. Although it is an organic unit of the government, the Academia Sinica enjoys virtually independent status. The most important body within the Academia Sinica is the Assembly of Members. The members, commonly known as "Academicians", are elected for life from among Chinese scholars of distinction. On July 9, 1998, 23 new members -- ten from outside the ROC and 13 based in Taiwan -- were elected, marking the first time that Taiwan-based scholars outnumbered those from overseas. The 23 new members brought the total number of academicians to 200. Their duties include formulating national research policy and pursuing specific research at the request of the government. As of mid-1998, the Academia Sinica had 24 institutes, six of them still preparatory offices, including the two newly established Institute of Bioagriculture and Institute of Linguistics. The Academia Sinica is staffed by approximately 800 full-time research fellows.

The Academia Historica is responsible for preserving documents and conducting research in modern Chinese history, particularly that of the republican period. The academy has a collection of 7.5 million publications and national records, mainly from the Office of the President, the Executive Yuan, provincial and local governments, plus some personal and other archives. Most of the records are open to the staff of Academia Historica and researchers.

Founded in 1990, the National Unification Council now consists of 29 leaders in various fields, from both the government and private sector, organized into task groups. The NUC recommends national unification policies to the president, helps the government to devise a national unification framework, and builds consensus at all levels of society and in all political parties concerning the issue of national unification. The NUC has already approved the Guidelines for National Unification, which are the highest directives governing ROC mainland policy.

The National Security Council, established in 1967 and chaired by the president, is an advisory body to the president. The main functions of the National Security Council and its subsidiary organ, the National Security Bureau, are to determine the ROC's national security policies and to assist in planning the ROC's security strategy.