Taipei City Council Introduction
In the early period after Taiwan's restoration, to establish a foundation for local autonomy, the Taiwan Provincial Government announced the "Plan for Establishing People's Organizations at All Levels in Taiwan" on December 26, 1945 (the 34th year of the Republic of China). Following the National Government's promulgation of the "City Council Organization Regulations" and "Senator Election Regulations," the Taipei City Council was established on April 15, 1946 (the 35th year of the Republic of China). Although the council served as a representative body, it was merely advisory at that time. After the National Government relocated to Taiwan on December 7, 1949, the local autonomy system did not operate according to the constitutional framework. On April 24, 1950 (the 39th year of the Republic of China), another "Outline for Implementing Local Autonomy in Counties and Cities of Taiwan" was promulgated as the basis for promoting local autonomy in Taiwan, and the council subsequently entered the provincial municipal council period. On July 1, 1967 (the 56th year of the Republic of China), Taipei City was upgraded from a provincial municipality to a direct municipality, and the transitional period lasted until the establishment of the first direct municipality council on December 25, 1969 (the 58th year of the Republic of China), during which the Taipei City Temporary City Council exercised its authority. However, the legal system concerning the autonomy of direct municipalities was not yet fully established, still relying on administrative orders—the Executive Yuan promulgated the "Regulations on the Organization and Implementation of Local Autonomy in Taipei City" on June 22, 1967 (the 56th year of the Republic of China) as the legal source for the autonomy of direct municipalities. After the "Direct Municipality Autonomy Law" was promulgated on July 29, 1994 (the 83rd year of the Republic of China), the Taipei City Council was legally guaranteed in terms of legislative power for local autonomy, financial supervision, and administrative oversight, truly implementing the stipulation of Article 118 of the Constitution that "the autonomy of the direct municipality shall be defined by law." To respond to the trend of decentralization between central and local governments, the "Local System Law" issued on January 25, 1999 (the 88th year of the Republic of China) integrated the regulations of autonomy for direct municipalities and counties/cities, opening a new chapter in the development of local autonomy in Taiwan. The Taipei City Council serves as a local legislative body, representing citizens in supervising municipal affairs, with district representatives exercising legislative powers to reflect the diverse voices of society. Through the processes of proposal, discussion, debate, and negotiation, and adhering to the democratic principle of "majority rules, minority rights respected," diverse public opinions can become policies and laws followed by citizens, safeguarding the rights of local residents. In recent years, the council has been dedicated to reflecting public opinion, supervising municipal affairs, fostering harmonious government-council relations, facilitating party negotiations, and enhancing urban exchanges. Additionally, it has made efforts to improve the transparency of legislative information and electronic governance. Through legislative oversight, the council aims to urge the city government to promote benefits, eliminate disadvantages, enhance citizen welfare, and improve living quality, fulfilling the responsibilities of a local legislative body. (Source: Taipei City Council)
