TSU goes after dual citizenship

TSU spokesman Hsiao Kuan-yu argues at a press conference yesterday that it was perfectly legal for former president Lee Teng-hui to use money from secret accounts under the National Security Bureau. The TSU was busy yesterday as another member, Chen Chien-ming, proposed that the Nationality Law be amended. PHOTO: CHIANG YING-YING, TAIPEI TIMES

TSU lawmaker Chen Chien-ming (陳建銘) plans to introduce an amendment to the Nationality Law (國籍法) which would revoke ROC citizenship for those citizens who have obtained citizenship in a second country.

"This proposal aims to make it clear which country you are loyal to, in case of a conflict of national interest between these two counties of which you hold citizenship," Chen told the Taipei Times yesterday.

Taiwan's Nationality Law does not strictly forbid ROC citizens from holding dual nationality. But Article 9 of the Nationality Law requires foreign citizens or people without nationality applying for ROC nationality to "offer evidence of having lost their original nationality."

Article 11 of the law outlines certain circumstances in which ROC citizens can lose their citizenship, such as when a person over 20 voluntarily obtains foreign citizenship, but in practice, so long as a person submits their second passport to the Ministry of Interior, it is generally overlooked.

But Chen thinks the current regulations are too passive.

"My proposal is to revise Article 11 to state that those who obtained foreign nationality vol-untarily, or through living in [another] country permanently, would automatically lose their ROC nationality," Chen said.

"It is an issue that deserves review by the public. It concerns not only national identity but also social fairness," Chen said.

"It's unfair that some holders of dual nationalities enjoy all kinds of privileges and advantages specially offered to foreigners while investing in Taiwan, but refuse to take obligations mandated by the law as Taiwanese citizens," Chen added.

Chen's proposal has been widely interpreted as a move against PFP Chairman James Soong (宋楚瑜) and Vice Chairman Chang Chao-hsiung (張昭雄).

Chen even said that the proposed amendment should apply to everyone and that Soong and Chang should be no exception.

It has been reported by the media to have said that among the ten members of Soong and Chang's families, seven of them have US citizenship.

"Some reporters asked me what if former president Lee Teng-hui's (李登輝) granddaughter Lee Kun-yi (李坤儀) obtained British nationality?

"My answer is that the law apples to everyone including the crown prince (王子犯法與民同罪)," Chen said.

Lee Kun-yi is studying in the UK.

Chen's proposal will be discussed by the TSU legislative caucus on Tuesday and has won the support of some TSU lawmakers.

TSU caucus whip Lo Chih-ming (羅志明) said that Chen's idea could be a good substitute for the party's previous controversial proposal to ban citizens born outside Taiwan from running for the presidency.

"I think the revision to the Nationality Law is a less controversial and more far-reaching idea and would prevent confusion over national identity," Lo said.