Although Taiwan’s lat est constitutional reforms preclude any declaration of formal independence for the foreseeable future, they do strengthen Taiwan’s democratic development.
The latest changes were ushered in as the National Assembly of the Republic of China on Taiwan was elected one last time May 14 and then voted out of existence June 7. Formed under the 1947 ROC Constitution, the Assembly had dutifully given Chiang Kai-shek the veneer of legitimacy for decades by regularly re-electing him ROC president.