TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taoyuan police began an investigation after an officer was found to have posted statements such as “I love my homeland” and “I am Chinese” on TikTok, media outlets reported Tuesday.
The Taoyuan Police Department's Zhongli branch said it was investigating three posts since 2021, some written in simplified Chinese characters, per New Talk. It said if the investigation uncovers any illegality it will be dealt with according to the law.
The officer cooperated with the bureau’s investigation and said his posts were made privately. The officer made no public political statements while working, according to the reports.
Taoyuan DPP City Councilor Huang Chiung-hui (黃瓊慧) told SETN she was concerned about the post and referenced a 2006 Constitutional Court ruling that stated civil servants have loyalty obligations to the state. She said the ruling meant Taiwan police could be fined if they referred to China as their homeland.
Mainland Affairs Council Minister Chiu Chui-cheng (邱垂正) said public officials are prohibited from pledging loyalty to China. Chiu spoke after at least 18 Taiwanese entertainers advocated for cross-strait unification in recent days. He said the entertainers may lose Taiwanese citizenship if they also hold Chinese IDs.
After the posts, the Mainland Affairs Council said the entertainers undermined national sovereignty. Meanwhile, immigration authorities gave a Chinese national 10 days to leave Taiwan on Monday after she advocated forceful cross-strait unification.
The Cross-Strait Act prohibits anyone in Taiwan from cooperating with the CCP or other Chinese state-affiliated organizations. Cooperation with those “involved in any political work against Taiwan or (that affects) national security or interests” is also prohibited.
