TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Mainland Affairs Council confirmed Thursday that a Taiwanese man was the first to lose his citizenship after it was found that he had a Chinese identity permit. 

In 2024, Chang Li-chi (張立齊), a teacher at Huaqiao University in China, was issued a residence permit by the Chinese government and was promoted by Chinese state media as the "first Taiwanese resident to settle in Fujian," per ETtoday. In response, MAC Deputy Minister Liang Wen-chieh (梁文傑) said that holding a residency permit issued by the CCP breaches Article 9 of the Cross-Strait Act, and Chang's Taiwan citizenship has been revoked.

Liang confirmed that Chang is the first Taiwan citizen to be affected by the MAC’s new interpretation of the law that came into effect in April. Once an individual's Taiwanese status is revoked, they can no longer use a Taiwan ID card or passport, and will no longer have health insurance. 

The MAC’s April interpretation of the Cross-Strait Act establishes a single identity system for people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait. If a person registers for household registration in China, they forfeit their Taiwanese status. 

The council defines “household registration” as holding a Chinese resident identity card or a residence permit. Chang obtained his residence permit in January 2024 from an immigration officer of the Xiamen Public Security Bureau’s Exit and Entry Administration Division, per UDN.

This followed a 2023 policy announcement from the Chinese authorities for a demonstration zone with ties to Taiwan in Fujian, as well as 10 new immigration measures designed to lure Taiwanese citizens to settle, register, and live in the province. Chang was the first Taiwanese to receive such a permit after the new measures were implemented.