Five Local Officials Removed or Facing Removal Over Chinese Nationality

TaiwanPlus News

A government audit has found five local officials with Chinese nationality. At least one has already been stripped of office. But the officials involved say they're deeply integrated after years in Taiwan and were duly elected. They say China won't let them relinquish their nationality, and some are ready to appeal.

Transcript

00:00Until last Friday, Deng Wanhua was the village warden of Xuetian in eastern Taiwan.

00:05But she's one of five local officials removed or set for removal

00:09after an audit found they hold Chinese citizenship.

00:12Deng is angry and plans to appeal.

00:14She's been in Taiwan nearly 30 years, setting down roots,

00:18and lately caring for her terminally ill Taiwanese husband.

00:21And she says there's no way to renounce her Chinese nationality, even if she tried.

00:25China claims Taiwan, and doesn't recognize a Taiwanese citizenship.

00:41It's a frustration a fellow China-born local official in Taipei shares.

00:55But the Interior Ministry says it's a matter of ensuring loyalty to the country

01:01and preventing conflicts of interest.

01:03Taiwan Plus reached out to the Interior Ministry for comment, but did not receive a reply.

01:08Most of the cities where these officials have posts are still coming up with an action plan.

01:12But another local official involved, this one from Taoyuan,

01:35says they've all earned their positions legitimately.

01:38And so, as local governments decide what to do,

01:51a controversy getting at the heart of citizenship

01:53and what it means to be Taiwanese continues to unfold.

01:57Hank Xu and John Van Trieste for Taiwan Plus.

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