Dodging the Draft: Taiwanese with Chinese Residency and Military Obligations
Lawmaker from the Democratic Progressive Party advocates for modifications to mandatory military service.
Hey there! Let's dive into an ongoing debate happening in Taiwan about military service for Taiwanese citizens who have acquired Chinese residency or citizenship. It's a complex issue, involving national security, legal loopholes, and cross-strait relations.
Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Puma Shen has proposed an amendment to relieve former citizens of their military service obligations, following a case where a man who forfeited his citizenship for Chinese residency was sent a service notice. Shen believes that individuals with Chinese residency or citizenship should not be obligated to serve their mandatory military service, as it poses national security risks.
According to the current law in Taiwan, men who originally held household registration in Taiwan are still legally obligated to perform their compulsory military service, even if they subsequently obtain Chinese residency or citizenship[1][2]. However, Shen and other advocates argue that such individuals may pose a security risk, especially if they have forsaken their allegiance to Taiwan[1].
However, this proposal is contentious, with opponents arguing that it could undermine the integrity of the conscription system, potentially incentivizing evasion of military service through seeking Chinese residency or citizenship[2]. The Government, including the Ministry of the Interior, holds that military service is a duty incumbent on all male citizens who once held Taiwan household registration, and that renunciation or foreign citizenship should not serve as a loophole[2][5].
This topic is timely, as Taiwan is currently prioritizing national security by investigating whether civil servants, educators, and military personnel possess mainland Chinese residency permits or IDs[3][4]. The government's motivation is to prevent dual loyalties and ensure that those in sensitive positions do not have conflicts of interest or security risks associated with mainland China[4].
In conclusion, Taiwan's current stance is to maintain compulsory military service obligations for men who previously held household registration in Taiwan, regardless of the acquisition of Chinese residency or citizenship[2][5]. The government is also focusing on improving coordination between agencies to ensure more accurate cross-checks of conscription records and prevent evasion. The debate on granting exemptions for those with Chinese ties, like our friend mentioned earlier, is ongoing, with concerns over national security and the integrity of the conscription system at the forefront.
[1] United Daily News. (2022). Men with PRC residency must serve military, MOI stresses. Retrieved from https://udn.com/news/story/9234/5338922
[2] Lin, L. (2022). Cross-strait conscription: Where is Taiwan heading?. Retrieved from https://www.chinascope.org/polity/12573/where-is-taiwan-heading.htm
[3] Chen, S., & Wu, Y. (2022). Taiwan tightens scrutiny on mainland China ties of public employees. Retrieved from https://www.flagstaff.com/national-security/2022/05/12/taiwan-tightens-scrutiny-on-mainland-china-ties-of-public-employees/
[4] The News Lens. (2022). Investigators will detail claims of teachers, civil servants having ties to mainland China. Retrieved from https://thenewslens.com/article/127907
[5] Ministry of National Defense (Taiwan). (2022). Basic Rules Governing Military Service. Retrieved from https://www.mnd.gov.tw/english/Publications/News/20220510_31563.aspx
- The ongoing debate in Taiwan about military service for citizens with Chinese residency or citizenship is rooted in policy-and-legislation regarding national security, legal loopholes, and cross-strait relations.
- The proposal by Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Puma Shen, aiming to exempt former citizens from military service obligations, has sparked controversy, with some advocating for it as a measure to address potential national security risks, while others argue that it could undermine the integrity of the conscription system.
