Taiwan Government Prohibits Civil Servants from Holding Chinese IDs
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Synopsis
Taiwan has enacted a new regulation requiring civil servants to not hold any residency in China or possess any Chinese ID, including passports. Violations could lead to job dismissals and loss of citizenship. This decision reinforces Taiwan's stance against perceived threats from China.
Key Takeaways
- Taiwan civil servants must pledge no Chinese residency.
- Holding Chinese IDs can lead to job loss.
- Military personnel also subject to this regulation.
- China viewed as a security threat to Taiwan.
- President Lai emphasizes the need for loyalty.
Taipei, Feb 28 (NationPress) Taiwan has implemented a new regulation requiring civil servants to affirm that they do not have residency in China and do not hold any form of Chinese government-issued ID, which includes national identification, residential certificates, or passports.
As per Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council, any military personnel, civil servants, or educators found in possession of such documents will be dismissed from their roles, according to Taiwan's leading newspaper, Taipei Times.
This decision comes after the Ministry of Civil Service recently notified local governments to have civil servants commit to a pledge regarding the absence of any Chinese residency or identification.
Previously, the MAC urged various ministries and agencies to investigate if civil servants, educators, or military members held any Chinese documents. It stated that possessing such documents poses a security risk to Taiwan and raises questions about their loyalty. Offenders will lose their positions and also risk losing their Taiwanese citizenship, as reported by the newspaper.
Last week, Taiwan's Ministry of Defence issued a related directive. During a press conference in Taipei, high-ranking officials from the Ministry of National Defence indicated that a document would be introduced requiring volunteers to pledge their non-citizenship of any other nation before joining the military.
Local media reported that a sailor named Yang, who serves in the Taiwanese navy, was recently discovered to have a Chinese identification card.
During an event in Taipei on Friday, Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te remarked that China represents a significant security threat to Taiwan's sovereignty and democracy, highlighting that China is intensifying its efforts to create divisions within Taiwanese society.
The aggressive actions of China have raised alarms in Taiwan, which claims that the Chinese Communist Party employs its 'United Front' strategy to gather intelligence and sway public policy in Taiwan. China regards Taiwan as an integral part of its territory, a claim that Taiwan vehemently disputes.
