TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Ministry of Interior on Friday said that Taiwanese men who obtain Chinese citizenship are still required to serve in Taiwan's military.
Taipei City Councilor Lin Hsing-erh (林杏兒) recently received a complaint from a Taipei resident who renounced his Taiwanese nationality years ago and is now a Chinese national. Even so, he recently received a notice demanding he return to Taiwan for military service, per CNA.
The ministry responded that men who hold Chinese citizenship but originally hold household registration in Taiwan are still legally obliged to perform military service.
It said Article 9-1 of the Cross Strait Act stipulates that a draftee who has registered a household or obtained a passport in China is considered to have lost their Taiwan status. However, this does not absolve or exempt them from any obligations or responsibilities they incurred due to their former status as a Taiwan citizen.
The ministry said military service is a duty that must be fulfilled. Article 20 of the Constitution states that citizens must perform military service according to law.
The ministry said eligible men should not evade military service by relinquishing Taiwan residency or going abroad. It added that it would continue to work with other government agencies to strengthen cross-checks of conscription records and ensure fairness in the draft system.
