Taipei City Council

In the early period after Taiwan's retrocession, to lay the foundation for local self-governance, on December 26, 1945, the Taiwan Provincial Administrative Executive Office promulgated the "Establishment Plan for Various Levels of Representative Bodies in Taiwan Province." Based on the "Regulations on the Organization of City Consultative Councils" and the "Regulations on the Election of Consultative Council Members" promulgated by the Nationalist Government, the Taipei City Consultative Council was established on April 15, 1946. Although the Consultative Council was a representative body, at that time it served only an advisory capacity. After the Nationalist Government relocated to Taiwan on December 7, 1949, the local self-governance system did not adhere to a constitutional framework. On April 24, 1950, the "Outline for the Implementation of Local Self-Governance in Various Counties and Cities of Taiwan Province" was separately promulgated as the basis for promoting local self-governance in Taiwan, and the council subsequently transitioned into the period of being a provincial city council. On July 1, 1967, Taipei City was upgraded from a provincial city to a special municipality. The period until the establishment of the 1st Special Municipality Council (December 25, 1969) was a transitional phase, during which the Taipei City Provisional Council exercised its powers. However, the legal system for special municipality self-governance was not yet complete, and it still relied on an administrative order—the "Outline of Taipei City's Various Organizations and Implementation of Local Self-Governance" promulgated by the Executive Yuan on June 22, 1967—as the legal basis for special municipality self-governance. After the "Special Municipality Autonomy Act" was promulgated and implemented on July 29, 1994, the Taipei City Council's legislative, financial oversight, and administrative supervisory powers in local self-governance only then received legal protection, and truly put into practice the provision of Article 118 of the Constitution, which states, "The autonomy of a special municipality shall be regulated by law." To adapt to the contemporary trend of decentralization between central and local governments, the "Local Government Act," promulgated and implemented on January 25, 1999, integrated the separate regulations governing the self-governance of special municipalities and provincial counties (cities) into a single framework, ushering in a new chapter in the history of local self-governance development in Taiwan. The Taipei City Council is a local legislative body that represents citizens in overseeing city affairs, where district councilors, representing a diverse society, exercise legislative authority. Through the processes of proposing motions, discussion, debate, and negotiation, and adhering to the democratic principle of majority rule, which entails "obeying the majority while respecting the minority," diverse public opinions can be transformed into policies and laws commonly followed by citizens, safeguarding the rights and interests of local residents. In recent years, in addition to striving to reflect public opinion, oversee city affairs, foster harmonious relations between the executive and legislative branches, facilitate cross-party negotiations, and promote urban exchanges, the Council also diligently works to enhance the transparency of council information and promote digitalization (e-governance). It hopes, through legislative oversight, to urge the city government to promote benefits and eliminate malpractices, enhance citizen well-being, and improve the quality of life for residents, thereby fulfilling the responsibilities of a local legislative body. (Source: Taipei City Council)