Taiwan Borough Chiefs Ordered to Relinquish Chinese Citizenship Amid Military Activity

Taiwan's Ministry of Interior Discovers Borough Chiefs with Chinese Citizenship

On Sunday, Taiwan's Ministry of the Interior (MOI) discovered that several borough chiefs held Chinese citizenship. The Ministry instructed them to relinquish their Chinese citizenship, clarifying that this directive is based on Taiwanese law and does not constitute "political persecution."

The MOI issued letters to the respective district offices, instructing them to address the matter in accordance with the Nationality Act and the Household Registration Act. The Nationality Act mandates that elected officials renounce any foreign citizenship before taking office and complete the renunciation process within one year.

The Ministry further explained that individuals from China who cancel their Chinese household registration under the Cross-Strait Act and obtain Taiwanese citizenship are recognized as Taiwanese nationals. If they assume public office, they must comply with the Nationality Act by renouncing any foreign citizenship after being elected or taking their position.

Taiwan Detects Chinese Aircraft and Naval Vessels

Meanwhile, Taiwan has been detecting Chinese aircraft and naval vessels around its territory every day for some time. On Sunday, they detected five People's Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft and six People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessels.

In response to the PLA's activities, the MND initiated war-preparedness drills at strategic locations across the island and is closely coordinating with the Coast Guard Administration to implement appropriate countermeasures.

A Complex Geopolitical Conflict

The Taiwan-China issue is a complex and longstanding geopolitical conflict centered on Taiwan's sovereignty. Taiwan, officially known as the Republic of China (ROC), operates its own government, military, and economy, functioning as a de facto independent state.

However, China considers Taiwan a breakaway province and insists on the "One China" policy, which asserts that there is only one China, with Beijing as its capital. This has fueled decades of tension, especially since the Chinese Civil War (1945-1949), when the ROC government retreated to Taiwan after the Communist Party, led by Mao Zedong, took control of mainland China.

Beijing has consistently expressed its goal of reunification with Taiwan, using diplomatic, economic, and military pressure to isolate Taiwan internationally. Meanwhile, Taiwan, supported by a significant portion of its population, continues to maintain its independence.