Officials say China-born TPP lawmaker's nationality status unresolved

Taipei, Feb. 5 (CNA) Concerns over whether Taiwan People's Party (TPP) lawmaker Li Chen-hsiu (李貞秀) has completed the legally required process to renounce her People's Republic of China (PRC) nationality continued Thursday, with multiple officials stressing that the matter must be handled according to Taiwan's Nationality Act.

Li is the first China-born naturalized Taiwanese national to become a democratically elected lawmaker in Taiwan, sparking speculation that her loyalty might rest with the PRC, which threatens to annex Taiwan.

She said she is "loyal only" to the Republic of China (ROC), referring to Taiwan's official name.

Li took the oath of office on Feb. 3 as a legislator-at-large for the TPP and said she had applied to renounce PRC nationality but that the application "was not accepted."

• TPP lawmaker sworn in as nationality status remains unresolved

Interior Minister Liu Shyh-fang (劉世芳) said on Thursday that the Ministry of the Interior (MOI), which administers the Nationality Act, has not received any documents bearing official postmarks or seals that could verify the submission of a renunciation application.

Liu said Article 20 of the Nationality Act makes the renunciation requirement "beyond question."

"If there is no legally effective document, then we will determine that this is a renunciation that does not have legal effect," Liu said.

Executive Yuan spokesperson Michelle Lee (李慧芝) said on Thursday that the Cabinet supports the MOI's handling of the case.

Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) told reporters on Thursday that all nationals, and especially members of the Legislature, must comply with ROC laws, and that the determination of legislative qualifications must be based entirely on the Nationality Act.

Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) Deputy Minister Liang Wen-chieh (梁文傑) said on Thursday that public confusion has arisen over which law applies, but clarified that different statutes govern different stages of political participation.

Liang said that "some people" believe that this should fall under the Act Governing Relations between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area, but that is a "misunderstanding."

Cross-strait law governs eligibility to run for office, while the assumption of public office after election is governed by the Nationality Act, he said.

In a separate interview with Taiwanese media outlet Storm, Liu said she would seek to ensure that the MOI does not provide Li with classified materials above the level of confidential, rejecting claims that such actions would constitute discrimination.

Failing to renounce foreign nationality would raise "a loyalty issue," she said.

Li responded through media statements that she completed her oath of office through lawful procedures, including qualification review by the Central Election Commission (CEC) and confirmation by the Legislative Yuan.

She added that she has begun performing her legislative duties and "will serve the people of Taiwan and be loyal only to the ROC."