TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The government now requires public servants to declare whether they have Chinese identity documents.
Mainland Affairs Council Spokesperson Liang Wen-chieh (梁文傑) said Friday the investigation into public servants holding Chinese identity documents is being conducted according to the law, per Up Media. He added declarations that employees who do not have Chinese IDs will become a regular requirement for public servants in the future.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Civil Service and the Directorate-General of Personnel Administration are investigating whether public servants hold Chinese ID cards, passports, residence permits, or other related documents.
The Ministry of Education has also instructed public school staff to sign a declaration guaranteeing they do not have household registration in China or hold a Chinese passport, ID card, and residence permit. This had led to a backlash from some teachers.
Liang said the drive to ensure public servants do not hold Chinese IDs has faced opposition. However, he reiterated that since 2004, the Cross-Strait Act stipulates that holding a Chinese identity will result in the cancellation of Taiwanese nationality.
He said that according to China's regulations, a person must have lived in China for at least six months to apply for a residence permit. Most public servants are unlikely to meet this condition, so if someone is found to hold a Chinese residence permit, they must explain why they have it.
Liang said some people may ask, “What will happen if I do not sign the declaration?” He responded, “If there is a false statement, and it is later discovered, the person will be held legally responsible.”
If someone refuses to sign the declaration, it may affect their employment with public agencies. Failure to sign the declaration could raise doubts for the hiring agency, “and the person will have to bear the consequences of that risk,” said Liang.
