The National Immigration Agency (NIA) has been criticized for not cracking down on a Chinese woman who has been in Taiwan illegally for more than a year, allegedly touring the nation in an elaborate “united front” (統戰) campaign.
Local media reports have alleged that Meng Ming (孟鳴), a Chinese national who came to Taiwan independently on a Hong Kong passport, has been meeting with retired Taiwanese military officials and engaging in political propaganda efforts on behalf of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA).
Meng is said to be the daughter of a high-ranking general of the PLA Fourth Field Army, which is headquartered in Guangzhou City, and is representing herself as a PLA-affiliated official.
According to the Chinese-language Next Magazine, she entered Taiwan in September 2013 and has been in the country illegally for more than a year.
NIA officials said they were not able to track her whereabouts.
The Ministry of National Defense (MND) and the NIA have come in for criticism because the woman allegedly entertained guests with a theatrical performance of a certain “PLA musical show” at the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, as well as at the Friends of Armed Forces Association Building, which is administered by the ministry.
In a statement on Friday, the ministry acknowledged that its officials had been negligent and confirmed that Meng’s “PLA musical show” had taken place at MND-administered facilities.
“We have asked the Friends of Armed Forces Association to review its management and have requested all local facilities throughout Taiwan to improve the scrutiny of their guests, and to check up on the functions that rented venues are to be used for,” the statement said.
The ministry said that Meng’s “PLA musical show” was booked by the “Chinese Women Party” (中華婦女黨), which is a registered civic group.
Meanwhile, an NIA spokesperson said the agency is investigating the case and making an effort to track down Meng, and would deport her once she has been located.
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