Chinese spouses free to stay as long as they want

Chinese spouses of Taiwanese nationals would no longer need to return to China after every six months in Taiwan and they can choose whether to become citizens of Taiwan or retain their Chinese nationality.

The Executive Yuan approved this amendment to the statute on relations with China yesterday.

The draft amendments to the Statute Governing the Relations between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area (兩岸人民關係條例), which is listed as one of the priority bills the Cabinet hopes to pass in the legislature by November, will proceed to the legislature for further review and final approval.

Cabinet Spokesman Chuang Suo-hang (莊碩漢) quoted Premier Yu Shyi-kun as telling the weekly closed-door Cabinet meeting yesterday morning that it is important to amend the 10-year-old statute.

"Cross-strait exchanges have broadened in scope over the years, especially following Taiwan and China's accession to the WTO," Chuang said.

Under the draft, Chinese spouses of Taiwanese who have been married for over two years or have children could apply to stay in the country. Those who have legally stayed in Taiwan for over four years -- with a minimum of 183 consecutive days a year -- could apply for permission to stay for a long term. Those who have legally stayed in Taiwan for over five years -- and meet other qualifications -- could apply for permanent residency status.

The qualifications are that they have to have stayed in Taiwan for 183 consecutive days each year, be older than 19 years, have no previous criminal records, be financially independent and not have a third nationality.

In addition, Chinese nationals would not be allowed to run for or assume any public offices, teach, work at a state-run enterprise, or organize a political party unless they have had their household registered for over 10 years.

Those whose household have not been registered for at least 20 years would not be allowed to join or work in Taiwan's military, cultural or educational sectors.

The proposed amendments would also allow Taiwanese residents to be employed by or become members of any form of Chinese organization except for the Chinese Communist Party, the government, the armed forces or any other post deemed to affect national security or national interests.