Here is the translation of the article into English:

• Core Assertions

  • Actively promote the amendment to the Assisted Reproduction Act to legalize surrogacy, viewing it as a cross-party, non-ethnic specific people's livelihood bill, devoid of political interests.
  • Emphasize that the surrogacy bill has high legitimacy and should be passed as soon as possible to address Taiwan's national security crisis of a low birthrate, and to protect individuals' reproductive rights, health rights, and the right to form a family.

• Legislative Progress and Current Status

  • The surrogacy bill has been stalled in the Legislative Yuan for many years. Although it has passed its first reading, it has not yet advanced to the second reading committee review stage.
  • The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) caucus and the Executive Yuan hold reservations about the surrogacy bill, especially regarding surrogacy for heterosexual and male same-sex couples, agreeing only to the surrogacy needs of single women and female same-sex couples.
  • The Kuomintang (KMT) caucus currently tends to support surrogacy for heterosexual couples but has not yet accepted other forms, although there is room for communication with individual Legislators.
  • With limited time in the current legislative session, the promotion of the bill faces immense pressure.

• Key Advocates and Their Roles

  • Legislator Chen Chao-chi (陳昭姿) (Taiwan People's Party, TPP):
    • As a patient with congenital uterine agenesis, this bill holds deep personal significance for her. She has worked for 30 years to promote this bill, starting to propose it in 1996.
    • Stated that she agreed to serve as an at-large Legislator because Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) promised to support the surrogacy bill, and her entry into the Legislature is to push for this desired bill.
    • Believes that if she had not personally entered the Legislature to vigorously promote it, the surrogacy bill might have waited another 10, 20, or 30 years without being passed.
    • During committee interpellation, facing erroneous arguments and attacks from more than 30 Legislators from the DPP, she felt emotionally distressed and pointed out that some opposing reasons were overly extreme and malicious.
    • She was previously severely harmed by false statements from DPP Legislator Kuo Yi-ling (郭昱晴) regarding child adoption issues and filed a lawsuit in response.
  • Former Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je (Party Chairperson of the Taiwan People's Party, TPP):
    • Expressed surprise that the surrogacy bill has been stalled for so long, believing it has high legitimacy and should be passed.
    • Pledged to personally accompany Legislator Chen Chao-chi to visit KMT and DPP Legislators on the Social Welfare and Environmental Hygiene Committee one by one, and will meet with caucus leaders of various parties and President of the Legislative Yuan Han Kuo-yu (韓國瑜) to seek support and communication.
    • Suggested maintaining a rational attitude when discussing the bill.
    • Attempted to meet with Minister of Health and Welfare Shih Chung-liang (石崇良) but was rejected, surmising that the Minister was avoiding him due to a teacher-student relationship.

• Arguments Supporting the Surrogacy Bill

  • Human Rights Protection: Grants individuals with physiological defects (such as congenital absence of the uterus, those requiring hysterectomy due to uterine lesions, including cervical cancer and uterine fibroids), same-sex relationships, or single status the opportunity to have children.
  • Addressing the National Security Crisis of Declining Birthrate: Taiwan's birth rate is decreasing year by year, with an estimated only slightly over 100,000 births in 2025, and potentially dropping to 80,000 in 2026, severely impacting national development and defense manpower. Legalizing surrogacy is an effective way to supplement the population.
  • Advancements in Medical Technology and the Right to Choose: Since technology can already enable surrogacy, the state should not deprive people of their right to choose their reproductive method. Just as insufficient sperm or eggs can be sought externally, assistance should be allowed for unhealthy uterine function.
  • Preventing Class Discrimination: Currently, only individuals with financial means can seek surrogacy overseas (e.g., in the United States), costing millions, which creates class inequality in reproductive rights. Legalization would benefit more people in need.
  • Comprehensive Legal Regulations: The proposed surrogacy bill includes the world's most stringent safeguards, including physiological, psychological, and medical evaluations for surrogate mothers, protection of rights during pregnancy, and respect for their choice regarding visitation rights for the child, refuting accusations of "exploitation" and "bullying."

• Responses to and Refutations of Opposition Arguments

  • Refutes extreme hypothetical scenarios such as "mother-in-law forcing daughter-in-law into surrogacy" or "being born for organs," emphasizing that the bill will clearly regulate to prevent abuse and inhumane acts.
  • Stresses that Taiwanese surrogate mothers must hold Republic of China (Taiwan) nationality to prevent concerns of "population laundering."
  • Taiwan's psychological counseling profession should be able to effectively assess whether prospective surrogates are coerced, rather than presupposing all surrogates are victims.
  • Points out that over 30 countries worldwide have legalized surrogacy, and the UK had related legislation 40 years ago, suggesting Taiwan should no longer be stuck in discussions of "whether or not to do it."

• Relevant Background and Data

  • During the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP)'s period in power in Taiwan (2017-2023), NT$488.4 billion was spent addressing the declining birthrate issue, but the effectiveness was poor, with birth numbers continuing to be halved.
  • Notes the rising infertility rates, the increasing importance of assisted reproductive technology, and that surrogacy is the ultimate solution for "man-made terminal illness" within infertility.

• Other Legislative Work and Party Stances

  • Successfully promoted the Delivery Service Act (a Ministry of Transportation and Communications-related bill), which protects delivery riders' wages, complaint channels, and occupational accident insurance, embodying a spirit of mutual assistance.
  • Supports President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) giving a State of the Nation address to the Legislative Yuan, advocating for a format that does not involve "Q&A" but rather allows each caucus to sequentially ask questions, with the President then providing a unified response. This approach demonstrates respect for the President while also reflecting the Legislature's responsibility for budget oversight. This stance aligns with the public mandate from the 2024 parliamentary election, emphasizing respect for the democratic outcome.