Chapter VI. National Economic Life
Article 116. The economic system of the Republic of China shall be based upon the Min Shêng Chu I (Principle of Livelihood) and shall aim at national economic sufficiency and equality.
Article 117. The land within the territorial limits of the Republic of China belongs to the people as a whole. Any part thereof the ownership of which has been lawfully acquired by an individual or individuals shall be protected by, and subject to, the restrictions of law.
The State may, in accordance with law, tax or expropriate private land on the basis of the value declared by the owner or assessed by the Government.
Every landowner is amenable to the duty of utilizing his land to the fullest extent.
Article 118. All subterranean minerals and natural forces which are economically utilizable for public benefit, belong to the State and shall not be affected by private ownership of the land.
Article 119. The unearned increment shall be taxed by means of a land-value-increment tax and devoted to public benefit.
Article 120. In readjusting the distribution of land, the State shall be guided by the principle of aiding and protecting the land-owning farmers and the land-utilizing owners.
Article 121. The State may, in accordance with law, regulate private wealth and enterprises when such wealth and enterprises are considered detrimental to the balanced development of national economic life.
Article 122. The State shall encourage, guide and protect the citizens' productive enterprises and the nation's foreign trade.
Article 123. All public utilities and enterprises of a monopolistic nature shall be operated by the State; except in case of necessity when the State may specially permit private operation.
The private enterprises mentioned in the preceding paragraph may, in case of emergency for national defense, be temporarily managed by the State. The State may also, in accordance with law, take them over for permanent operation upon payment of due compensation.
Article 124. In order to improve the workers' living conditions, increase their productive ability and relieve unemployment, the State shall enforce labor protective policies.
Women and children shall be afforded special protection in accordance with their age and physical condition.
Article 125. Labor and capital shall, in accordance with the principles of mutual help and cooperation, develop together productive enterprises.
Article 126. In order to promote agricultural development and the welfare of the farming population, the State shall improve rural economic and living conditions and increase farming efficiency by employment of scientific farming.
The State may regulate the production and distribution of agricultural products, in kind and quantity.
Article 127. The State shall accord due relief or compensation to those who suffer disability or loss of life in the performance of military or public services.
Article 128. The State shall give suitable relief to the aged, feeble, or disabled who are incapable of earning a living.
Article 129. While the following powers appertain to the Legislative Yuan in the case of the Central Government, they may be exercised by the legally designated organ if, in accordance with law, such matters may be effected independently by a province, district or municipality:
1. To impose or alter the rate of taxes and levies, fines, penalties, or other imposts of a compulsory nature.
2. To raise public loans, dispose of public property or conclude contracts which increase the burden of the public treasury.
3. To establish or cancel public enterprises, monopolies, franchises or any other profit-making enterprise.
4. To grant or cancel public enterprises, monopolies, franchises or any other special privileges.
Unless specially authorized by law, the government of a province, district or municipality shall not raise foreign loans or directly utilize foreign capital.
Article 130. Within the territorial limits of the Republic of China all goods shall be permitted to circulate freely. They shall not be seized or detained except in accordance with law.
Customs duty is a Central Government revenue. It shall be collected only once when the goods enter or leave the country.
The various grades of government shall not collect any dues on goods in transit within the country, with the exception of tolls levied for the purpose of improving the waterways and roads, on vessels and vehicles making use of them.
The right to impose taxes and levies on goods belongs to the Central Government and shall not be exercised except in accordance with law.