The new session of the Legislative Yuan begins today. Executive President Zhuo Rongtai and heads of ministries and commissions attended to deliver the policy address. (Photo by reporter Chen Yikuan)
The budget session of the Legislative Yuan kicked off. Executive President Zhuo Yongtai today (29th) put forward "four requests", calling for support for the 2016 central government general budget, the 115 supplementary budget, the special budget for strengthening asymmetric combat power procurement, and promoting priority bills such as population countermeasures and sports. He also emphasized that the preparation of budgets by the Executive Yuan is a constitutional obligation. He hopes that the Legislative Yuan will adhere to the constitutional distinction and review the budget according to the deadline, so that the constitutional order can return to the normal track and the government and opposition parties can reconcile and coexist.
Today, Zhuo Rongtai and the heads of ministries and commissions attended to deliver the policy address. He first reviewed that in the past year, Taiwan faced domestic and foreign challenges such as U.S. tariff negotiations, the stalemate in the Russia-Ukraine war, the situation in the Middle East, China's continued intrusion and United Front threats, as well as typhoons and heavy rain disasters brought about by extreme weather. Fortunately, thanks to the efforts of the people, Taiwan remains resilient; economic growth is estimated to reach 11.5% this year, and the unemployment rate from January to July this year has reached a new low since 2001.
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In terms of major construction and industrial layout, Zhuo Rongtai mentioned that the first self-developed AI satellite No. 8 was launched last year, the north boarding corridor of Taoji Terminal 3 was opened at the end of last year, and the Tamkang Bridge was opened to traffic in May this year, creating a sunset concentric landmark between the sunset and the main bridge; the semiconductor industry has established bases across three continents in the world, and traditional industries continue to play invisible champions on the international stage.
"Today's Taiwan is the best era of the Republic of China!" Zhuo Rongtai bluntly said that this year marks the 39th anniversary of the lifting of martial law. Reconciliation and symbiosis between the government and the opposition is the driving force for Taiwan's progress. We hope that the executive and legislative chambers will abide by constitutional rights and fiscal discipline and order. The government and opposition parties will put the people first and the country in mind, and unite and cooperate to build Taiwan into a more civilized and progressive country. The country's security should not be infiltrated and threatened by hostile forces from abroad, and the country's governance should not be hindered by constitutional disputes and halted. The Executive Yuan will fulfill its duties and administer in accordance with the law during the new session. It is also hoped that the Legislative Yuan will adhere to the boundaries of constitutional government and review the budget according to the deadline, and the government and the opposition will work together to return the constitutional order to normalcy.
Next year's general budget and three other budgets are awaiting review. Zhuo Kui hopes that the Legislative Yuan will support their approval.
Accordingly, Zhuo Rongtai made four requests. First of all, the Executive Yuan has submitted the central government's general budget for 2016 to the Legislative Yuan for review. The annual revenue and annual expenditure reached a balance of 3.9266 billion yuan, without actually increasing any debt, and setting a new low record for the cumulative debt balance ratio. Secondly, the Executive Yuan has proposed a supplementary budget for the 2015 central government general budget. The content strives to continue to stabilize people's livelihood, and includes adjustments to professional bonuses and supervisory bonuses for military, public and educational personnel. At the same time, eight additional social welfare allowances are included in the supplementary budget.
Zhuo Rongtai continued that, thirdly, regarding the "Special Regulation on Procurement of Plans to Protect National Security and Strengthen Asymmetric Combat Power", the Executive Yuan is currently preparing future budgets in accordance with this regulation, and will subsequently submit it to the Legislative Yuan for review. Fourth, we sincerely request the support of the Legislative Yuan for the major priority bills of the Executive Yuan during this session, including the "New Strategy for Population Countermeasures," the "Regulations on the Transformation and Upgrading of Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises," the "National Movement Act," and other related law amendments, as well as other priority bills needed for major policy implementation.
