Chinese Citizens Naturalized in Taiwan Spur Debates

The issue of Chinese citizens being naturalized in Taiwan has long spurred debates about national security, immigration and national identity.

Transcript

00:00The complex issue of naturalizing Chinese citizens in Taiwan has become a matter of hot debate here.

00:06Perhaps the most controversial aspect regards when Chinese citizens need to renounce their original nationality.

00:12Unlike people of all other nationalities, a special law known as the Cross-Strait Act

00:17allows Chinese nationals to become naturalized in Taiwan without giving up their Chinese status.

00:23It also opens the door for their participation in politics, such as through voting.

00:27However, another law, the Nationality Act, stipulates that anyone who wants to serve in Taiwan's government

00:33must renounce all other nationalities.

00:58From last year to now, we have always had an opinion on this issue.

01:03In other words, the People's Relations Act only guarantees your right to participate in politics.

01:07But if you really want to serve, you have to follow the Nationality Act.

01:11That interpretation has applied to recent cases of Chinese-born politicians

01:16who have had their eligibility questioned or revoked.

01:19And the Mainland Affairs Council, or MAC, which handles cross-strait policies,

01:23may have the public on their side in this case.

01:26A recent poll by the MAC showed that 74% of respondents agreed

01:31that Chinese citizens should be required to renounce their citizenship in order to hold public office.

01:37Only 17% disagreed.

01:40Some of this support may be because of concerns about Chinese espionage,

01:44as numerous new cases involving people spying for Beijing have come to light recently.

01:50Some legislators have introduced an amendment that would make the requirement

01:53for renouncing other nationalities even clearer.

01:56In the past, there have been proposals to require naturalized Chinese citizens in Taiwan

02:01to undergo the same exams and requirements as other nationalized foreigners,

02:05along with taking a special oath.

02:08In the oath, I said that I would renounce my Chinese citizenship and serve Taiwan.

02:12This oath has a legal effect.

02:15If you violate the provisions in the oath, you must be cancelled.

02:20Another controversy is that Chinese nationals must live in Taiwan for six years

02:24to qualify for naturalization, while people of other nationalities need only four.

02:29Some opposition lawmakers are pushing to equalize the timeline,

02:33citing that Chinese nationals make up the largest group of foreign spouses in Taiwan.

02:50But the MAC says the timeline is a trade-off.

03:04This is not a good thing for Lu Pei.

03:07The debate over naturalization laws for Chinese citizens in Taiwan

03:11highlights deeper questions about national security and Taiwan's evolving identity

03:16and whether all citizens are equal before the law.

03:19Chris Ma and Chris Gorin for Taiwan Plus.