No Taiwan coast guard personnel hold PRC permanent residence certificates: Minister

Taipei, April 17 (CNA) Taiwan's Ocean Affairs Council (OAC) Minister Kuan Bi-ling (管碧玲) said Thursday that no Taiwanese coast guard personnel possess Chinese passports or "certificates of registered permanent residence" in the People's Republic of China (PRC).

Kuan also said that three Coast Guard Administration (CGA) personnel once had PRC-issued "residence permits" for Taiwan residents but they have been canceled or are in the process of cancellation in accordance with the law, and none of those employees have access to sensitive information.

The minister made the remarks in response to questions from reporters before delivering a report to the Legislative Yuan's Internal Administration Committee on Thursday.

Her comments came the day after Defense Minister Wellington Koo (顧立雄) said that 62 Taiwanese military personnel currently hold Chinese residence permits, including two individuals serving in Taiwan's volunteer forces.

Holding a "residence permit" issued by the Chinese government is not illegal in Taiwan, but possessing PRC-issued passports or having household registration in China is prohibited under Taiwanese law.