The persecution of 140,000 cross-strait spouses has triggered intense controversy. The director of Taiwan's National Immigration Agency (as shown in the picture) was dismissed from office. The Mainland Affairs Council quickly backtracked on its stance and stated that four categories of people would be temporarily exempted from submitting the "certificate of loss of nationality."
In order to fan the flames of cross-strait confrontation and anti-China populism, the Tsai Ing-wen administration targeted cross-strait spouses and intensified its bullying and persecution of them. Recently, the Taiwan Straits Exchange Foundation and the National Immigration Agency sent notices to all 140,000 plus cross-strait spouses residing in Taiwan and their children, requiring them to submit a "certified certificate of loss of original nationality" validated by the Straits Exchange Foundation within three months; otherwise, they would face the revocation of their settlement permits and household registration.
In the term "loss of original nationality," the relevant regulations in Taiwan deliberately "blur" the definition, not specifying whether it refers to "household registration" or "nationality." This is done to avoid the sensitive issue of the "two-states theory." In practice, the requirement for cross-strait spouses to submit proof of "loss of original nationality" mainly demands that they renounce their mainland household registration.
Currently, there are approximately 380,000 cross-strait spouses in Taiwan. Why did the Tsai administration target only 140,000 of them? These 140,000 spouses refer to those who have obtained Taiwan settlement rights (household registration). In other words, among the current 380,000 cross-strait spouses, about 240,000 have yet to obtain Taiwan settlement rights, do not hold Taiwan identification cards, and remain in the stage of "dependent residence" or "long-term residence." This also reveals the discrimination against cross-strait spouses by the Taiwan authorities. Cross-strait spouses need to reside in Taiwan for six years to obtain a Taiwan identification card, whereas foreign spouses can obtain one after only four years.
This time, the Tsai Ing-wen administration not only forces these 140,000 cross-strait spouses to renounce their mainland household registration but also demands that their children do the same. The Taiwan National Immigration Agency openly stated when explaining this that people on both sides of the strait cannot hold dual nationalities. This statement essentially exposes the vague regulations regarding "original nationality" in the "Regulations Governing Relations Between People Across the Strait" as the "two-states theory." It also proves that the Tsai Ing-wen administration chose this moment to take such actions with the aim of fanning the flames of cross-strait confrontation, obstructing cross-strait exchanges, and promoting the so-called "mutual non-subordination" "new two-states theory."
This matter has caused an enormous stir domestically. Even Green Camp legislators criticized this approach as being "extremely crude." Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) legislator Lee Tsung-han from Tainan revealed that Lin, a businessman's child born in mainland China, returned to Taiwan at the age of two and never had a mainland household registration. Now he is being asked to submit a "certificate of loss of nationality." "How can someone who has never applied for a mainland household registration obtain a certificate of loss of nationality?" He criticized the Taiwan National Immigration Agency for taking the "laziest approach," attempting to handle everything at once since the "amendment" in 2004, and doing so in a very crude manner.
Many cross-strait spouses went to Taiwan before 2004 and have already obtained Taiwanese ID cards. They may have no relatives left in mainland China. Given the long passage of time, obtaining a "certificate of loss of original nationality" could encounter various difficulties. Isn't this forcing someone to do something impossible? Moreover, past administrations led by Chen Shui-bian, Ma Ying-jeou, and Tsai Ing-wen never enforced the relevant provisions of the amended "Regulations Governing Relations Between People Across the Strait" in 2004. Why does Tsai Ing-wen choose to dredge up old accounts from two or three decades ago now? Everyone knows her intentions.
Even DPP legislator Chuang Jui-hsiung couldn't bear to watch and said that it is "not practically feasible" because it involves many people, and laws should not be retroactive.
Under immense pressure, National Immigration Agency Director Zhong Jingkun is rumored to have suddenly requested early retirement, effective April 16th. Although Zhong Jingkun responded that this has nothing to do with the recent controversy, his sudden early retirement just three months before the end of his term raises eyebrows. Many believe that behind this strange situation lies the fact that Tsai Ing-wen used him as a scapegoat to bear the brunt of the controversy.
Not only is the National Immigration Agency unable to withstand the pressure, but the Mainland Affairs Council also urgently announced on the 10th that four categories of people can temporarily be exempted from submitting the certificate of loss of nationality. These include individuals who went to the mainland due to political or religious reasons where they face personal safety risks; those with serious illnesses unable to travel to the mainland; those who have not been to the mainland for ten years; and children of Taiwanese businessmen born in the mainland who quickly return to Taiwan and have never been registered in the mainland.
The Tsai Ing-wen administration repeatedly abuses judicial power and fabricates charges to bully cross-strait spouses, forcing cross-strait families to be separated. This goes against human ethics, lacks humanity, and essentially promotes the "two-states theory" and pushes for "substantive Taiwan independence."
Another viewpoint suggests that the Tsai Ing-wen administration's expanded persecution of cross-strait spouses and incitement of cross-strait hatred might be to boost the second phase of the "recall campaign." As the recall campaign enters the second phase of signature collection, the difficulty in mobilization significantly increases. Launching a campaign against cross-strait spouses at this time will inevitably draw criticism from the opposition parties. The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) can use this to label opposition party legislators as "red hats," increasing the hostility of the green camp supporters towards the opposition, thereby advancing the recall campaign. This is the DPP's usual modus operandi.
Source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1829019389471808/
Disclaimer: The article solely represents the author's views.