蘇揆構想 21縣市全升格直轄縣

Su Contemplates Upgrade of Counties & Cities to ‘Special Counties’

為徹底解決地方爭取縣市合併、升格直轄市的爭議，行政院長蘇貞昌日前提出全新構想，有意捐棄「直轄市」高人一等的思維，讓台灣21縣市都升格為「直轄縣」，與北高平起平坐，讓各縣市資源均等，再構思必要的行政區域整合，以符合行政區整併發展的世界潮流。

In an effort to reach a comprehensive resolution of a contentious issue, Premier Su Zhengchang has proposed a fresh approach to the bids by local governments to amalgamate counties and be upgraded to the status of special municipalities. His idea involves discarding the traditional view of these ‘special municipalities directly under the jurisdiction of Central Government’ as enjoying a superior designation, and upgrading all of Taiwan’s 21 counties and cities to the status of ‘special counties’ of equal standing with Taipei and Kaohsiung and sharing equally in the distribution of resources. Su also envisages merging administrative districts where necessary, a step in line with the global trend towards integrated regional development.

影響所及，目前研修中的地方制度法及財政收支劃分法，都將重新調整；研議中的民國99年實施廢選鄉鎮市級選舉的計畫原則上不受影響，但廢選後鄉鎮市長是否隨縣市全面升格，比照直轄市改稱「區長」，未來將再研議。

The proposals will affect the ongoing amendments of the Local Government Act and the Act Governing the Allocation of Government Revenues and Expenditures, which will require adjustment. In principle, the proposed abolition in 2010 of township and city elections will not be affected, but whether the positions of these township chiefs or mayors will be universally upgraded to a new status of ‘district administrators’ like those of special municipalities will be decided on a future occasion.

mergers and acquisitions 購併 unfriendly takeover, buyout

符合 to comply with/ in compliance with, to conform to/ in conformation with

They wish to combine Taipei city and Taipei counties in 1 administrative unit.

They wish to amalgamate Taipei city and Taipei counties.

administrative unit          prefecture (法,義,日政府直屬的)縣,府,廳

The argument over tax rights has become a full dispute over the rights of the respective governments.         dispute有嚴重性 eg. border dispute

Taiwan rejects the contention that it is part of the PRC.

The PRC contends that Taiwan is part of its territory. (claims, argues,主張,聲稱)

controversy 雙方內部各有不同意見,對整體無具體認識

equitable = fair and balance公平的,公正的

to cope with(指something difficult) = to deal with, to handle, to manage