The Ilan Prosecutors' Office is dealing with a case involving the illegal entry of a Chinese dissident, Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) Vice Chairman Tung Chen-yuan (
Tung was referring to Cai Lujun (
After arriving in a Chinese fishery workers' reception center in Nanfangao in Ilan County, Cai told a local human-rights association that he wanted to seek political asylum, Tung said.
The Fisheries Administration and the Coast Guard Administration (CGA) have handled the case in accordance with regulations, Tung said.
As Tsai violated the National Security Law (國家安全法) and Criminal Code (刑法) by committing forgery, the CGA transferred the case to the Ilan Prosecutors' Office for investigation, Tung said.
He added that government agencies were checking Cai's background, adding that if his identity and testimony check out, he would not be indicted.
After the conclusion of the judicial process, the MAC would call an interagency meeting, including officials from the Ministry of the Interior, to review the case, ascertain Cai's true aspirations and assist in arranging for him to travel to a third country and help with his application for international refugee status with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Tung said.
He added that the government will see to Cai's care during his stay in Taiwan.
Tung said that no Chinese dissident who entered Taiwan via illegal channels can obtain legal residency here.
The government is arranging for four other Chinese dissidents who entered Taiwan illegally to settle in a third country.
As for Chinese dissidents who come to Taiwan through legal channels, the government usually helps them secure permanent residency in the country so long as they meet the ministry's requirements, Tung said.
Tung said Taiwan does not have a comprehensive legal mechanism to handle refugee issues and that the ministry has referred a draft refugee bill to the Executive Yuan for approval.
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