Address: 立法院: 台北市中山南路一號 / 台北喜來登飯店:台北市忠孝東路一段12號

As has become tradition, to coincide with the Chinese Lunar New Year, we have arranged a special cultural excursion for ECCT members. This year, we will be visiting the Legislative Yuan (LY) of the Republic of China, Taiwan's unicameral parliament. The visit will include an introduction to the history of the LY and a guided tour of the LY's buildings, including the chamber hall (立院議場), where laws are debated and voted on. After the tour, members and guests will take a short walk to the Sheraton Hotel where they will enjoy an informal lunch with LY Secretary-General Lin Chih-chia 林志嘉秘書長.

The buildings that house Taiwan's LY were originally used as a school when Taiwan was under Japanese colonial rule. This is somewhat fitting since the LY has been the educational training ground where many of Taiwan's senior politicians have cut their teeth, including former president Chen Shui-bien and current president Tsai Ing-wen.

The LY played a transformative role in Taiwan's transition to democracy. This laid the foundation for Taiwan's transition to full democracy - the first universal suffrage presidential election was held in 1995. By giving opposition forces a democratic voice in the LY, Taiwan was able to engineer a smooth transition into what is now widely regarded as one of the most open societies in the world.

Under the ROC's constitution, all bills are subject to review and passage by the LY. Bills are subject to two or three readings, which include examinations by dedicated LY committees, general discussions, presentations by experts and possible revisions before final passage and submission to the president for promulgation. The Executive Yuan (EY) must report all major policy changes to the Legislative Yuan. Ministers are frequently summoned by legislators to the LY to answer questions in this regard. Besides law-making powers, the presidents of the EY, the Control Yuan, the Judicial Yuan and Examination Yuan are nominated by the president but must be approved by the LY.

This is the first time that the ECCT has been offered an exclusive visit and tour of the LY. Take advantage of this rare and unique opportunity to explore one of Taiwan's historically significant sites and learn about Taiwan's law-making process. All members are welcome to bring guests, spouses or partners.

10:30            Gather at the front door of the Legislative Yuan立法院正門口集合

10:40-11:00  Introduction to the history of Legislative Yuan and the function of the constitution介紹立法院歷史及其憲政功能

11:00-11:30  Tour of the Assembly Hall參訪立法院議場

11:30-11:40  Photo with LY Secretary-General Lin Chih-chia  與立院林志嘉秘書長及台灣歐洲議會議員友好協會召集人合照

12:00-13:30  Lunch at the Sheraton Grand Taipei Hotel, B2, Room: Hapiness Room 餐敘 (請自行前往喜來登飯店:台北市忠孝東路一段12號,B2,喜廳). (The hotel is a short walk from the LY. Guests are requested to make their own way to the hotel.)