The Constitution - Sovereignty and Welfare II

Original post by www.taiwanlawresources.com

Republican Philosophy:

Article 2 of the Constitution states:

第 2 條

中華民國之主權屬於國民全體。

Article 2

The sovereignty of the Republic of China shall reside in the whole body of citizens.

Vocabulary

中華民國 [Zhōnghuámínguó] /Republic of China/

之 [zhī] /(literary equivalent of 的)/

主權 [zhǔquán] /sovereignty/

屬於 [shǔyú] /be classified as/to belong to/to be part of/

國民 [guómín] /national/nation/national people/

全體 [quántǐ] /all/entire/

Article 2 further enunciates the republican philosophy adopted by Taiwan.

Social Welfare:

Article 142 of the Constitution states:

第 142 條

國民經濟應以民生主義為基本原則，實施平均地權，節制資本，以謀國計

民生之均足。

Article 142

National economy shall be based on the Principle of People’ s Livelihood and shall seek to effect equalization of land ownership and restriction of private capital in order to attain a well-balanced sufficiency in national wealth and people's livelihood.

Vocabulary

國民 [guómín] /national/

經濟 [jīngjì] /economy/economic/

應 [yìng] /shall/

以 [yǐ] /according to/so as to/in order to/by/

民生主義 [mínshēngzhǔyì] /principle of people`s livelihood/people`s welfare/

為 [wéi] /是/is/

基本 [jīběn] /basic/fundamental/main/

原則 [yuánzé] /principle/

實施 [shíshī] /to implement/to carry out/

平均 [píngjūn] /average/

地權 [dìquán] /land ownership/land rights/

節制 [jiézhì] /temperance/

資本 [zīběn] /capital (as in capitalism)/

謀 [móu] /to plan/seek/scheme/intend to/

國計 [guójì] /national wealth/national economic condition/

之 [zhī] /(literary equivalent of 的)/

均 [jūn] /equal/even/uniform/each/

足 [zú] /to be sufficient/

Taiwan is not considered a welfare state, but certain social welfare rights are guaranteed by the government.

The Constitution - Territory II

Original post by www.taiwanlawresources.com

Article 4 of the Constitution states:

第 4 條

中華民國領土，依其固有之疆域，非經國民大會之決議，不得變更之。

Article 4

The territory of the Republic of China according to its existing national boundaries shall not be altered except by resolution of the National Assembly.

Vocabulary

中華民國 [Zhōnghuámínguó] /Republic of China/

領土 [lǐngtǔ] /territory/

依 [yī] /according to/depend on/

其 [qí] /his/her/its/theirs/that/such/it (refers to sth preceding it)/

固有 [gùyǒu] /(v) be intrinsic or inherent to sth/existing/

之 [zhī] /(literary equivalent of 的)/

疆域 [jiāngyù] /territory/

非 [fēi] /non-/not-/un-/

經 [jīng] /pass through/to undergo/

國民大會 [guómíndàhuì] /National Assembly/

決議 [juéyì] /resolution/

不得 [bùdé] /must not/may not/not be allowed/cannot/

變更 [biàngēng] /change/alter/modify/

This Article was amended by the first amendment of the Constitution which states: ”The electors of the free area of the Republic of China shall cast ballots at a referendum within three months of the expiration of a six-month period following the public announcement of a proposal passed by the Legislative Yuan on the amendment of the Constitution or alteration of the national territory. The provisions of Article 4 and Article 174 of the Constitution shall not apply.”

Some grammar usage tips:

1)

其 － 置於句中或句末。用於彼﹑何之後。

其 is used to refer to something preceeding it, and in this Article 其 refers to 中華民國領土。

Example in the Civil Code:

第 155 條

（要約之失效（一）－拒絕要約）

要約經拒絕者，失其拘束力。

Article 155

An offer ceases to be binding if it is refused.

2)

非經，未經 － Has not gone through, has not been registered.

Example in the Civil Code:

第 30 條

法人非經向主管機關登記，不得成立。

Article 30

A juridical person can not be established unless it has been registered with the relevant authorities.

經 － 歷、過。 學法律需要經年累月的努力.

To learn the law requires many years of accumulative effort.

The Constitution - Mainland Affairs II

Original post by www.taiwanlawresources.com

Article 11 of the Constitution states:

第 11 條

自由地區與大陸地區間人民權利義務關係及其他事務之處理，得以法律為

特別之規定。

Article 11

Rights and obligations between the people of the Chinese mainland area and those of the free area, and the disposition of other related affairs may be specified by law.

Vocabulary

自由 [zìyóu] /freedom/free/liberty/

地區 [dìqū] /area/region/

與 [yǔ] /and/to give/together with/

大陸 [dàlù] /mainland China/

間 [jiān] /between/among/space/

人民 [rénmín] /(the) people/

權利 [quánlì] /a power/a right/

義務 [yìwù] /volunteer/voluntary/duty/obligation/

關係 [guānxì] /relations/

及 [jí] /and/as well as/

其他 [qítā] /others/another/

事務 [shìwù] /(political, economic, etc.) affairs/work/

之 [zhī] /(literary equivalent of 的)/

處理 [chǔlǐ] /to handle/to treat/to deal with/to process/

得以 [déyǐ] /may be/

法律 [fǎlü4] /law/

為 [wéi] /to make/

特別 [tèbié] /especially/special/particular/

規定 [guīdìng] /provision/to fix/to set/to formulate/to stipulate/to provide/

This Article states that rights and obligations between the Mainland and those of the ‘free area’ may be stipulated by law.

More information and laws pertaining to Mainland issues can be found on my website here.

General information and Mainland Policy Documents can be found here:

* General Policy
* President Ma's Remarks
* Questions and Answers *extra good
* Cross-Strait Exchanges
* Hong Kong & Macao
* Archives

Another good place to look for information about Mainland Affairs is here:
Mainland Affairs Council Mainland Affairs Information Research Center

Laws and Regulations Regarding Mainland Affairs

Act Governing Relations between Peoples of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area
Enforcement Rules for the Act Governing Relations between Peoples of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area

Regulations Governing the Trial Operation of Transportation Links Between Kinmen/Matsu and the Mainland Area

Regulations Governing Approvals of Banks to Engage in Financial Activities between the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area

Regulations Governing Permission of Trade Between Taiwan Area and Mainland Area
Regulations Governing The Permission of Commercial Behavior in Mainland China


Laws and Regulations Regarding Hong Kong & Macao Affairs
Act Governing Relations with Hong Kong and Macau
Enforcement Rules of the Act Governing Relations with Hong Kong and Macau

Regulations Regarding the Chinese Development Fund

Guidelines for Co-sponsoring Cross-Strait Exchanges of the Management Committee of the Chinese Development Fund
Regulations for the Custody and Utilization of the Revenues and Expenditures of the Chinese Development Fund

And the always important SEC laws and regulations

Regulations Governing Approval for Mainland Area Professions to Engage in Professional Activities in Taiwan

Regulations Governing Approval of Securities and Futures Transactions Between the Taiwan Area and the Mainland China Area

Regulations Governing Approval for Mainland Area Financial Professionals To Engage in Finance Related Activities in Taiwan

J.Y. Interpretations pertaining to Mainland Issues

618
573
558
521
497
475
454
445
431
329
150
85
72

The Constitution - Basic Rights IV

Original post by www.taiwanlawresources.com

More rights within the constitution.

第 15 條

人民之生存權、工作權及財產權，應予保障。

Article 15

The right of existence, the right to work and the right of property shall be guaranteed to the people.

第 16 條

人民有請願、訴願及訴訟之權。

Article 16

The people shall have the right of presenting petitions, lodging complaints, or instituting legal proceedings.

第 17 條

人民有選舉、罷免、創制及複決之權。

Article 17

The people shall have the right of election, recall, initiative and referendum.

第 18 條

人民有應考試服公職之權。

Article 18

The people shall have the right of taking public examinations and of holding public offices.

第 19 條

人民有依法律納稅之義務。

Article 19

The people shall have the duty of paying taxes in accordance with law.

第 20 條

人民有依法律服兵役之義務。

Article 20

The people shall have the duty of performing military service in accordance with law.

第 21 條

人民有受國民教育之權利與義務。

Article 21

The people shall have the right and the duty of receiving citizens' education.

Vocabulary15

生存權 [shēngcúnquán] /the right to exist/to survive/

工作權 [gōngzuòquán] /the right to work/

財產權 [cáichǎnquán] /property right/

應 [yìng] /shall/

予 [yú] /to give/

保障 [bǎozhàng] /to ensure/to guarantee/to safeguard/

16

請願 [qǐngyuàn] /petition (for action to be taken)/

訴願 [sùyuàn] /petition/

訴訟 [sùsòng] /lawsuit/

權 [quán] /authority/power/right/

17

選舉 [xuǎnjǔ] /to elect/election/

罷免 [bàmiǎn] /recall/

創制 [chuàngzhì] /initiate/inaugurate/start/create/formulate/institute/

複決 [fùjué] /referendum/

18

應考試 [yìngkǎoshì] /to attend an exam/

服公職 [fúgōngzhí] /to hold an official duty or position/

19

依法律 [yīfǎlü] /legal (proceedings)/according to law/

納稅 [nàshuì] /(v) pay taxes/

義務 [yìwù] /duty/obligation/

20

依法律 [yīfǎlü] /legal (proceedings)/according to law/

服兵役 [fúbīngyì] /perform military service/serve in the military/

21

受 [shòu] /to receive/

國民教育 [guómínjiàoyù] /national education/citizens’ education/

權利 [quánlì] /a power/a right/

The Constitution - Basic Rights III

Original post by www.taiwanlawresources.com

The following articles of the Constitution enunciate certain rights guaranteed by the people of the ROC.

Article

第 5 條

中華民國各民族一律平等。

Article 5

There shall be equality among the various racial groups in the Republic of China.

第 7 條

中華民國人民，無分男女、宗教、種族、階級、黨派，在法律上一律平等。

Article 7

All citizens of the Republic of China, irrespective of sex, religion, race, class, or party affiliation, shall be equal before the law.

第 10 條

人民有居住及遷徙之自由。

Article 10

The people shall have freedom of residence and of change of residence.

第 11 條

人民有言論、講學、著作及出版之自由。

Article 11

The people shall have freedom of speech, teaching, writing and publication.

第 12 條

人民有秘密通訊之自由。

Article 12

The people shall have freedom of privacy of correspondence.

第 13 條

人民有信仰宗教之自由。

Article 13

The people shall have freedom of religious belief.

第 14 條

人民有集會及結社之自由。

Article 14

The people shall have freedom of assembly and association.

Vocabulary

5

中華民國 [Zhōnghuámínguó] /Republic of China/

各 [gè] /each/every/

民族 [mínzú] /nationality/ethnic group/

一律 [yīlü] /(adj) same; uniform/(adj) all; without exception/

平等 [píngděng] /equality/equal/

7

人民 [rénmín] /(the) people/

無 [wú] /-less/not to have/no/none/not/to lack/un-/

分 [fēn] /to divide/minute/

男女 [nánnü] /male-female/

宗教 [zōngjiào] /religion/

種族 [zhǒngzú] /race/ethnicity/

階級 [jiējí] /(social) class/

黨派 [dǎngpài] /partisan/political party related/

在 [zài] /at/in/

法律上 [fǎlüshàng] /legal/de jure/

10

有 [yǒu] /to have/there is/there are/

居住 [jūzhù] /reside/be a resident (of)/

及 [jí] /and/

遷徙 [qiānxǐ] /to migrate/to move/

之 [zhī] /(literary equivalent of 的)/

自由 [zìyóu] /freedom/free/liberty/

11

言論 [yánlùn] /expression of (political) opinion/

講學 [jiǎngxué] /teach/teaching/

著作 [zhùzuò] /literary work/writings/to write/

出版 [chūbǎn] /to publish/to come off the press/to put out/

之 [zhī] /(literary equivalent of 的)/

12

秘密 [mìmì] /secret/

通訊 [tōngxùn] /communications/a news story (e.g. dispatched over the wire)/

13

信仰 [xìnyǎng] /firm belief/conviction/

宗教 [zōngjiào] /religion/

14

集會 [jíhuì] /gather/assembly/meeting/

結社 [jiēshè] /association/

The Constitution - Republic II

Original post by www.taiwanlawresources.com

Article 1 of the Constitution states the ROC shall have a Republican System, it states:

中華民國基於三民主義，為民有民治民享之民主共和國。

The Republic of China, founded on the Three Principles of the People, shall be a democratic republic of the people, to be governed by the people and for the people.

Vocabulary

中華民國 [Zhōnghuámínguó] /Republic of China/

基於 [jīyú] /because of/on the basis of/in view of/on account of/

三民主義 [sānmínzhǔyì] /Three Principles of the People/

為 [wéi] /是/is/

民有 [mínyǒu] /of the people/

民治 [mínzhì] /to govern by the people/

民享 [mínxiǎng] /for the people/

之 [zhī] /(literary equivalent of 的)/

民主 [mínzhǔ] /democracy/

共和國 [gònghéguó] /republic/

Dr. Sun advocated the “Three Principles of the People”( 三民主義):

民有 “of the people” (Nationalism) 國家為全體人民所共有，即國家主權在於人民。

民治 “to govern by the people” (Democracy) 國家政治由全體人民共同治理。

民享 “for the people” (Social Welfare) 社會利益由全體人民共享。

The Preamble of the Constitution II

Original post by www.taiwanlawresources.com


The Preamble of the Constitution of the R.O.C.

前言：
中華民國國民大會受全體國民之付託，依據孫中山先生創立中華民國之遺教，為鞏固國權，保障民權，奠定社會安寧，增進人民福利，制定本憲法，頒行全國，永矢咸遵。
Preamble:
The National Assembly of the Republic of China, by virtue of the mandate received from the whole body of people, and acting in accordance with the last will and testament of Dr. Sūn Zhōng-Shān, Founder of the Republic of China, and in order to consolidate the authority of the State, safeguard the rights of the people, ensure social tranquility, and promote the welfare of the people, hereby adopts this Constitution and causes it to be promulgated for faithful and perpetual observance by all in the country.



Vocabulary
前言 [qiányán] /preface/forward/introduction/preamble/
中華民國 [Zhōnghuámínguó] /Republic of China/
國民大會 [Guómíndàhuì] /National Assembly/
受 [shòu] /to receive/
全體 [quántǐ] /all/entire/
之 [zhī] /(literary equivalent of 的)/
付託 [fùtuō] /to entrust to/
依據 [yījù] /according to/basis/foundation/
孫中山 [Sūn Zhōngshān] /Sun Yat-sen, first president of the Republic of China/
先生 [xiānsheng] /sir/mister/teacher/(title of respect)/
創立 [chuànglì] /to found/establish/originate/
遺教 [yíjiào] /the views of the departed/posthumous orders or teachings/
為 [wèi] /for/
鞏固 [gǒnggù] /consolidate/
國權 [guóquán] /state authority/
保障 [bǎozhàng] /to ensure/to guarantee/to safeguard/
民權 [mínquán] /civil liberties/
奠定 [diàndìng] /establish/fix/settle/
社會 [shèhuì] /society/
安寧 [ānníng] /peaceful/tranquil/calm/composed/free from worry/
增進 [zēngjìn] /promote/enhance/
人民 [rénmín] /(the) people/
福利 [fúlì] /(material) welfare/well-being/
制定 [zhìdìng] /to draw up/to formulate/
本 [běn] /this/the current/
憲法 [xiànfǎ] /constitution (of a country)/
頒行 [bānxíng] /issue for enforcement/
全國 [quánguó] /entire country/nationwide/
永 [yǒng] /forever/always/perpetual (ly)/
矢 [shǐ] /to promise/faithful/
咸 [xián] /all/in all cases/
遵 [zūn] /to observe/to obey/to follow/




The constitution of the Republic of China was adopted by the National Assembly on December 25, 1946, promulgated by the National Government on January 1, 1947 and effective from December 25, 1947. Dr. Sun was born in southern China, raised in Hawaii, and educated in Western medicine in Hong Kong. In 1925, Dr. Sun passed away in Beijing.