Image reproduced from TVBS 新聞網

Recently, a man named Zhang Liqi was stripped of his Taiwanese identity because he held a Chinese residence permit. The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) further warned that, in addition to Chinese passports, identity cards, and residence permits, if Taiwanese citizens hold a 'Border Travel Permit' issued by China, even if the permit is expired, it is still considered illegal and may result in the cancellation of their Taiwanese identity.

Reports indicate that at certain border crossings between China and Russia, Taiwanese tourists can apply for a one-time 'Border Travel Permit' to visit Russia. Due to the lower cost compared to applying for a Russian visa, many Taiwanese nationals used this opportunity last winter to obtain the 'Border Travel Permit' at the Manzhouli border crossing in Inner Mongolia to visit Baikal Lake in Russia.

The MAC has been continuously checking the status of Taiwanese citizens holding Chinese residence permits, identity cards, and passports, and issued a clarification in April stating that holding a Chinese residence permit violates Article 9-1 of the Cross-Strait Regulations, leading to the cancellation of their Taiwanese identity as per the law.

On the 12th, the MAC reiterated its warning that obtaining a Chinese 'Border Travel Permit' for travel to Russia or elsewhere is illegal, even if the permit's validity is only three months. The full name of the 'Chinese Border Travel Permit' is 'People's Republic of China Exit-Entry Permit (for Border Travel)', which is issued by the National Immigration Administration of China or a border entry and exit management agency authorized by it. It is meant for Chinese citizens participating in border travel itineraries approved by the State Council or relevant departments, and it has a validity period of three months.

MAC Deputy Minister Liang Wenjie mentioned a case in 2017 where a citizen applied for a border travel permit to travel to the China-Russia border. At that time, the permit had already exceeded the three-month validity, yet for the MAC, 'any past issuance constitutes illegality,' regardless of whether the document is currently valid.

He also cited that a Chinese passport typically has a ten-year validity period. If someone is found to hold an expired Chinese passport, they cannot use its expiration as a defense against violating the relevant cross-strait regulations, as the government views 'expiry' as irrelevant.

The MAC further explained that if Taiwanese citizens have their household registration revoked due to holding Chinese residence permits or identities and wish to restore their status, there are administrative remedies available. If individuals believe the related ruling is unlawful, they can appeal through administrative recourse or litigation. Additionally, those seeking to regain their Taiwanese identity after acquiring Chinese citizenship must prove that there is no issue of dual nationality.

The latest reminder from the MAC aims to prevent citizens from being arrested for improperly using the Chinese Border Travel Permit, and seeks to enhance awareness of cross-strait regulations among the public.