TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Mainland Affairs Council Minister Chiu Chui-cheng (邱垂正) on Tuesday said the entertainers who echo Beijing's United Front narratives may lose Taiwanese citizenship if they hold Chinese IDs.
On Mar. 7, Taiwanese entertainers shared a graphic created by China's state-run CCTV reading “Taiwan Must Return” on their personal Weibo accounts in China, per CNA. Chiu said the entertainers' use of their Taiwanese identity to mislead the public is unacceptable and illegal.
Following the "Taiwan Must Return" post shared by multiple celebrities, Chiu said on Mar. 11 that any entertainers who have cooperated with the Chinese Communist Party, government, or military entities or have applied for a Chinese identity card will be investigated by authorities.
Amid concerns this would lead to a broader public investigation, the Legislative Yuan continued its general policy interpellation session Tuesday. Before the session, Chiu told the media that citizens must comply with the regulations under the Cross-Strait Act.
He clarified that the inspections are focusing on core military, civil service, and education personnel who have a duty of loyalty to the state. However, Chiu said entertainers have drawn public outrage by echoing the CCP's United Front rhetoric, and some have even advocated for the elimination of Taiwan's sovereignty.
Chiu said the special review does not involve ordinary citizens. He said public officials are prohibited from pledging loyalty to China or supporting efforts to frame Taiwan as an internal matter of China or as a territory under Beijing’s rule.
The residence permit is issued by China’s Ministry of Public Security under the Regulations for Application of Residence Permit for Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan Residents to residents from these locations who have lived in China for more than six months. For Taiwanese residents, the equivalent document is the "Taiwan Compatriot Permit," which allows Taiwan residents to travel to China.
Chiu said the CCP has introduced measures to blur the distinction between Taiwanese and Chinese. He said these actions are intended to create a false perception of Beijing's jurisdiction over Taiwan.
Chiu also questioned how Taiwanese civil servants could legally obtain a Chinese residence permit, as China’s regulations require them to reside in the country for at least six consecutive months, maintain a stable residence and job, and join China’s social security system. He suggested that if any Taiwanese civil servant were able to meet these conditions, it could indicate flaws in Taiwan’s personnel management and travel regulations.
