Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan: Oversight or Overreach?

As Taiwan consolidates its democratic system of government, it must enhance the roles and performance of its Legislative Yuan (LY). Currently, the LY has a complex and variable role in the deepening engagement between the governments of Taiwan and mainland China, a fact that was crystallized by a 24-day student-led occupation of the legislative chamber in March and April. The occupation and other protests against the handling of the Cross-Strait Trade in Services Agreement, signed by Taipei and Beijing in 2013, have focused earlier calls for an “oversight mechanism” through which the LY can play a formal role in shaping, monitoring, and ratifying cross-strait agreements and several proposals are now under consideration.

On Monday, June 23, the Brookings Center for East Asia Policy Studies will host a public seminar to examine prospects and best practices for legislative oversight in an advanced democracy. Experts from Taiwan and the United States will describe existing legislative oversight mechanisms in Taiwan, Japan, and the United States; will review how existing procedures have been utilized in Taiwan; and will analyze current proposals for an oversight mechanism. Su Chi, a former LY member (2005-2008) and former secretary-general of the National Security Council (2008-2010), will make an opening statement describing the LY’s procedures and practices and its interaction with the executive branch of government.

After each session, panelists will take audience questions.