Legislative Yuan Aims to Decide on Relocation Site This Term

Taipei: The secretary-general of the Legislative Yuan expressed on Thursday his hope that a decision regarding the relocation or reconstruction of the legislature will be reached during the current legislative term. Chou Wan-lai made this statement during a hearing when lawmakers inquired about the status of plans to either move or rebuild the legislative body. According to Focus Taiwan, the Legislative Yuan is currently located in a complex that was originally the Taihoku Prefectural Second Girls' High School during the Japanese colonial era. Despite multiple expansions over the years, the facility continues to struggle with space limitations. In the previous legislative term, then-speaker You Si-kun assembled a panel of experts to explore solutions to this problem. The panel identified six potential sites for expansion, including locations in Taipei, New Taipei, Taichung, and the counties of Yilan and Changhua. These locations include the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, the former Air Force headquarters in Taipei, Tucheng Detention Center, the Chengkungling military training base, the Chung Hsing Cultural and Creative Park, and an area within the High Speed Rail Changhua Station zone. However, no final decision was made at that time. Chou informed lawmakers that Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu is inclined towards the Grand Hotel site in Taipei, whereas some staff members prefer the former Air Force headquarters site. Additionally, a newly appointed urban planning head at the Legislative Yuan has suggested reconstructing the current location. Chou emphasized that all options are still being considered and that he has a strong emotional connection to the Legislative Yuan. He hopes that a decision will be reached during the current term, but acknowledged that cross-party negotiations and consensus are necessary. Chou also mentioned that party caucuses have the ability to request Speaker Han to organize cross-party discussions. He conveyed optimism that, similar to the 10th Legislative Yuan, a committee could be e stablished to expedite the decision-making process.