Mainland Chinese Spouses Branded as 'Spies' Face Growing Controversy in Taiwan

Taiwanese Immigration Authorities Notify Immigrants from China
to Submit Proof of No Mainland Household Registration

"National Security and Public Interest" vs "Only Fuels Hostility" Controversy

The Taiwanese government has notified 12,146 immigrants from mainland China to submit documents proving that they do not possess household registration in China.

A photo of a man holding the Chinese national flag to help understand the article. Photo by Reuters-Yonhap News.

On August 12 (local time), the Associated Press reported, "As cross-strait tensions are rising, Taiwan's policy on 'mainland spouses' is rapidly changing." So-called 'mainland spouses' are individuals born in mainland China who have immigrated to Taiwan after marrying Taiwanese nationals; about 369,000 such individuals reside in Taiwan.

Since April last year, Taiwan's immigration authorities have required those who have already obtained Taiwanese household registration to submit certificates proving the cancellation of their Chinese household registration. This is based on Article 9-1 of the Act Governing Relations between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area—the law prohibits individuals with Taiwanese household registration from simultaneously holding household registration or a passport from mainland China. Violation of this rule results in the cancellation of Taiwanese household registration, as well as the loss of voting rights and eligibility for public office.

Liang Wenjie, spokesperson for the Mainland Affairs Council, explained, "This measure is meant to prevent anyone from unintentionally losing their Taiwanese status due to a report by another person," adding that, "It demonstrates the government's maximum degree of tolerance." If it is difficult to obtain the required documents, a sworn statement may be submitted instead. Of the over 140,000 spouses of Chinese origin who possess Taiwanese status, more than 130,000 have already submitted documents, and the government has not taken immediate action against those complying with the procedures.

These measures coincide with worsening cross-strait relations. China has sent military aircraft and naval vessels near Taiwan nearly every day, while also increasing diplomatic isolation and disinformation campaigns. In particular, after President Lai Ching-te defined China as a "hostile foreign force," a series of security measures followed.

A criminal case also intensified concerns about security. On August 11, the New Taipei District Court sentenced Xu Chunying, head of a support group for spouses from China, to seven years in prison for violations of the Anti-Infiltration Act and the Banking Act. The court judged that Xu had colluded with Chinese officials to intervene in Taiwanese politics and received 24.5 million New Taiwan dollars (approximately 1.07 billion won) through an unauthorized remittance network. In addition, last spring, the government revoked the residency permits of three Chinese women who advocated armed reunification on social networking services (SNS) and ordered them to leave the country.

The legal requirements are also stricter for those from mainland China compared to other regions. While a spouse from outside mainland China can apply for naturalization after three years of legal residence, those from mainland China must reside for four years on the basis of marriage and an additional two years of long-term residence before they are eligible to apply for permanent residency. Naturalized foreigners can apply for general civil service positions except for senior and elected posts, but those from mainland China must wait 10 years after acquiring Taiwanese household registration before running for elections, working for public institutions, or forming political parties.

Legislator Li Zhenshu, a Chinese national married to a Taiwanese, is holding up a Taiwanese passport. Taipei Times

Li Jianshu, who was born in China and married a Taiwanese, was inaugurated as a proportional representative legislator of the Taiwan People's Party in February. However, his term lasted only about 70 days. The Mainland Affairs Council judged that Li had only cancelled his Chinese household registration in March last year, thus failing to meet the requirements. While Li argued, "I have held Taiwanese status since 1999 and had cancelled my Chinese household registration at that time," the Mainland Affairs Council spokesperson stated, "There is no political consideration in this." Ultimately, Li lost his seat after being expelled from his party in April.

Shang Guanluan (pseudonym), a Chinese writer and activist who immigrated with her Taiwanese husband in 2021, commented, "There is constant suspicion that we are under instructions from the Chinese Communist Party or are spies." She added, "Taiwanese businesspeople or scholars with access to confidential information in the fields of national defense and advanced technology are far more valuable targets. 'Mainland spouses' have no place on the priority intelligence target list." Bruce Liao, law professor at National Chengchi University, pointed out, "Rather than confront mainland China directly, Taiwan is fueling antagonism by pressuring 'mainland spouses' living in Taiwan."

In contrast, Yan Tusu, a researcher at Academia Sinica, explained, "The government has a significant public interest in protecting national security," and added, "The government has a certain degree of discretion when assessing whether immigrants pose a threat to social order or safety."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.