One of the reasons for this state of affairs has been the string of reform policies which were introduced by the ruling Kuomintang party beginning in March of last year. These include the imminent lifting of martial law and the elimination of restrictions on the formation of new political parties, two steps which have caused considerable heat in the political arena within the country. Closely related to the lifting of martial law, the drafting of the proposed National Security Law has drawn particular interest in this session of the Legislative Yuan.

Another reason for the emotionally charged atmosphere has been the introduction of much "new blood" to the legislature. The 73 candidates chosen in elections held at the end of last year include 59 Kuomintang members, twelve "Democratic Progress Party" members and two independents; all of whom are putting forth the greatest of efforts in this their first session in the legislature.

During sessions of interpellation with the Executive Yuan, one newly elected "DPP" member brought up the dialect question, arguing that legislators from Taiwan ought to be allowed to speak in their "mother tongue" dialect during legislative sessions. Another legislator earned much applause when he responded by asking what kind of situation would prevail on the floor if legislators from Szechwan were to speak in Szechwanese, those from Kwangtung in Cantonese, and so forth. From the question of dialects talk turned to problems of provincial origin. Some "DPP" members have gone so far as to assert a desire to see "the mainlanders go back to the mainland."

Premier Yu Kuo-hwa responded by saying that "over the past forty years--especially as concerns the younger generation, who, regardless of the origin of their parents, have all been born and raised on Taiwan--we have all received our educations and enjoyed the rising standard of living together. In the meantime, due to intermarriage, studying, and working together, and so forth, this so-called problem of 'provincialism' has actually long since been eradicated."

The eminently qualified, politically experienced "DPP" representative Fei Hsi-ping has his own opinions on the subject as well. As he says, "Each and every recently elected legislator received his education after the retrocession of Taiwan. Our teachers and professors were for the most part originally from the mainland. We cannot afford ingratitude towards them; we cannot fail to recognize the value of their contribution to the development of Taiwan."

Fei has also repeatedly emphasized the importance of taking the Kuomintang as a competitive partner rather than a combative foe, as the end goal which the DPP is striving for is the establishment of a two-party system of government in the ROC

With much vociferous debate already taking place within the Yuan, the current drafting of the proposed National Security Law has only added to the noise.

On the 19th of March, just as the law was at a peak of debate, 200 members of the self-called "May 19th Green Movement" gathered outside of the legislative chambers in support of "DPP" legislators, hoping that they would walk out of the sessions and join them in a protest march on the streets of Taipei.

"DPP" legislators, however, were not so inclined, and asked them to leave the premises, adding that they hoped to be able to accomplish their political aims through normal legislative channels.

The ruling Kuomintang has also shown an abundance of good faith. It has not only allowed the expression of any and all various viewpoints, it has also actively sought the opinions of scholars in a wide variety of fields, and has held numerous confirmation hearings among the committees of National Defense, Home Affairs, and Judicial Affairs as well. Through these steps the thoroughly democratic resolve of the ruling party is readily apparent.

This 79th session of the Legislative Yuan has been marked by a number of distinguishing characteristics: the interpellative sessions have been the longest, the number of legislators registering to make speeches the most, and the scope of the questions raised the largest of any session in the history of the Legislative Yuan. During periods of discussion over the drafting of the National Security Law, the number of people in attendance has broken all records set in recent years, to the extent that even the Vice President of the Legislative Yuan had to go out and find his own chair to bring in.

In viewing the conditions involved in the debate over the National Security Law, it has already become apparent that these two political forces, in playing out their mutual opposition through the predetermined "rules of the game," have taken yet one more great stride forward in the development of party politics in the ROC

[Picture Caption]

The interpellative sessions of the Legislative Yuan are a serious test for ranking officials of the Executive Yuan, all of whom approach the proceedings with a cautious attitude. Pictured above, from right to left, are: Premi er of the Executive Yuan Yu Kuo-hwa, Vice Secretary-General Wu Ch'i-fang, and Secretary-General Wang Chang-ch'ing. (photo courtesy of United Daily News Information Center)

(Below) Legislator Lin Tien-sheng of Taiwan's indigenous peoples brings a relaxed atmosphere to legislative proceedings. (photo courtesy of United Daily News Information Center)

(Right) On April 17th, twenty city and county council chairmen from around Taiwan Province gathered to visit Premier Yu in support of his cabinet's administration. (photo by Li P'ei-hui)

(Left) On the last day of interpellative sessions, legislator Wu Tzu (second from right) of the Taipei district united 60 newlyelected legislators in affirming the cabinet administration of Premier Yu Kuo-hwa. (photo by Hu Yu-hao)

(Above) In the tense air surrounding the 79th session of the Legislative Yuan there were some minor instances of conflict. (photo by Ch'en Shu-kuang)

(Below) President of the Legislative Yuan Ni Wen-ya is congratulated by "Democratic Progress Party" candidate Hsu Jung-shu (at left) after his re-election. (photo courtesy of United Daily News Information Center)

The 79th session of the Legislative Yuan was marked by a number of distinguishing features, breaking all records of recent years. (photo by Hu Yu-hao)

（Below） Legislator Lin Tien-sheng of Taiwan's indigenous peoples brings a relaxed atmosphere to legislative proceedings. （photo courtesy of United Daily News Information Center）

（Right） On April 17th, twenty city and county council chairmen from around Taiwan Province gathered to visit Premier Yu in support of his cabinet's administration. （photo by Li P'ei-hui）

（Left） On the last day of interpellative sessions, legislator Wu Tzu （second from right） of the Taipei district united 60 newlyelected legislators in affirming the cabinet administration of Premier Yu Kuo-hwa. （photo by Hu Yu-hao）

（Above） In the tense air surrounding the 79th session of the Legislative Yuan there were some minor instances of conflict. （photo by Ch'en Shu-kuang）

（Below） President of the Legislative Yuan Ni Wen-ya is congratulated by "Democratic Progress Party" candidate Hsu Jung-shu （at left） after his re-election. （photo courtesy of United Daily News Information Center）

The 79th session of the Legislative Yuan was marked by a number of distinguishing features, breaking all records of recent years. （photo by Hu Yu-hao）