At least 30 people questioned over Chinese ID cards: Interior Ministry

Taipei, Feb. 6 (CNA) The Ministry of the Interior (MOI) is investigating companies across Taiwan that have allegedly helped Taiwanese citizens illegally procure Chinese ID documents, and has already questioned more than 30 people over the issue.

Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Interior Minister Liu Shyh-fang (劉世芳) said that the ministry is investigating whether travel agencies and public relations companies in northern, central and southern Taiwan have assisted Taiwanese people illegally obtain Chinese National ID cards.

Taiwan and China's household registration and nationality systems are "mutually exclusive," Liu said, meaning that it is illegal under Taiwan's Nationality Act for Taiwanese to simultaneously possess valid Chinese and Taiwanese documents.

Taiwan's interior ministry has yet to determine whether the alleged actions by Taiwan-based organizations was a "purely commercial" activity or whether they were part of broader efforts by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to promote the political unification of China and Taiwan.

The issue garnered attention recently after a popular YouTuber, Pa Chiung (八炯), alleged there are companies in Taiwan that enable Taiwanese to apply for Chinese identity documents.

The People's Republic of China (PRC) claims Taiwan as part of its territory, despite having never controlled the island, and its United Front Work Department engages in activities intended to help the PRC annex Taiwan.