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Taiwan's Strict Rules on Dual Citizenship for Government Officials
In Taiwan, the law mandates that government officials must not hold dual citizenship, including citizenship from the People's Republic of China (PRC). To hold public office, officials must renounce any foreign nationality and swear loyalty solely to the Republic of China (ROC, Taiwan’s official name).
This requirement is enforced through official channels such as the Straits Exchange Foundation, a semi-official body. The Taiwanese government recognizes renunciation documents validated by bodies like the Straits Exchange Foundation as legitimate.
The consequences of failing to comply with this rule are severe. Individuals who hold PRC nationality and do not recognize their renunciation of that nationality may be deemed ineligible to serve in government roles. This was evident in the case of Deng Wanhua, a village warden who was dismissed from office for holding PRC nationality.
The government has recently tightened inspections to close loopholes on dual citizenship and prevent influence operations from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Officials who claim it is impossible to renounce PRC citizenship face pushback from Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council, reinforcing the expectation that renunciation is required.
It's worth noting that the eligibility of PRC-born spouses of Taiwanese to run for office is regulated by the Act Governing Relations Between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area and the Nationality Act. However, the specific requirements for these individuals are beyond the scope of this article.
In a recent statement, Premier Cho Jung-tai suggested a more active approach in handling cross-strait relations and peace in the Indo-Pacific region. He proposed that recognizing the existence and legal equality of both the PRC and the ROC could promote peace. However, this suggestion does not alter the current laws regarding dual citizenship for government officials.
In conclusion, Taiwan's law explicitly prohibits elected or public officials from possessing dual citizenship. They must renounce foreign citizenship before assuming office, with strict consequences including disqualification if they fail to do so. The law also involves scrutiny mechanisms to enforce these rules, particularly regarding PRC citizenship, due to national security concerns.
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