00:00Here at Taiwan's legislature, the first lawmaker with Chinese citizenship is taking office.
00:05But this has been a major hurdle for Li Zhenxiu because Taiwanese law requires her to give up that citizenship
00:11in order to serve.
00:13Li says she's attempted to renounce it, even flying back to her birthplace to apply in person, but was unsuccessful.
00:20That's because China doesn't recognize Taiwan as a separate country
00:23and doesn't readily provide the documents needed to renounce citizenship in these cases.
00:51But still, some lawmakers from the ruling Democratic Progressive Party are sounding the alarm.
00:56They argue that allowing Li to serve could pose national security risks,
01:01since legislators have special access to sensitive information.
01:04They say this is a legal, not a political issue, and urge the government to enforce the relevant laws.
01:10But there's a clash between the two laws that govern whether Chinese citizens can run for elections in Taiwan
01:16and whether they can actually hold office.
01:19Li fulfills the requirements of the Cross-Strait Act,
01:22which says that China-born residents can run for election 10 years after moving their household registration,
01:28which is the person's official address, from China to Taiwan.
01:32But the Nationality Act prohibits anyone with dual citizenship to hold office in Taiwan.
01:38Under this law, Li must apply to give up her foreign citizenship before taking office
01:43and provide proof of success within a year of service.
01:47Here, Li seems to have only partially fulfilled the requirement.
01:50She has tried to apply, but has not been successful.
01:53So it's possible she could be removed from her position after a year.
01:58Whether Li will be removed or whether she'll be able to serve out her two-year term
02:02is now in the hands of the Interior Ministry.
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