Day Li-nin (
The Ministry of Finance is looking into legal issues pertaining to retired government officials like Day taking official positions in China.
"The Beijing-based commission is an agency under China's State Council. The ministry will determine whether the post that Day accepted falls into the category of jobs that retired government officials are prohibited from taking up," said council Vice Chairman Chiu Tai-san (
Day, 66, was vice finance minister in 1995 and 1996. He then served as chairman and chief executive officer of the Bank of Overseas Chinese (
Currently attending a seminar in Nanking, Day told reporters that his acceptance of the job does not violate Taiwanese law. "It is an unpaid job ? If I have violated the law, I am willing to return to Taiwan to be jailed," he said.
Chiu said that Day will face penalties if the ministry decides that he has accepted a position that he is legally prevented from taking. "It doesn't matter whether the job is paid or unpaid," Chiu said.
Chiu said that according to a March 1 council announcement, Taiwanese people are banned from taking up posts with the Chinese Communist Party, the Chinese military and agencies under China's State Council.
Jobs in China that might challenge Taiwanese people's loyalty, that involve China's ambition to unify with Taiwan or that damage Taiwan's national security are also banned, Chiu said.
"The ministry's investigation is focusing on whether the work of the Beijing commission in which Day is to participate affects Taiwan's national interests and security. So far the investigation has not produced concrete results," Chiu said.
Several retired government officials have taken up positions in China in the past, but it was decided in each case that their work did not affect national security. No one was punished.
Article 9 of the Act Governing Relations Between Peoples of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area (
A committee organized by several ministries reviews and approves these applications.
If Day is found guilty, he may face imprisonment of up to three years or be deprived of his retirement benefits, according to Article 90 of the act.
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