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.
Ocean Affairs Council (OAC) Minister Kuan Bi-ling (管碧玲) on Wednesday said decommissioned coast guard vessels were given to the Philippines to enhance regional rescue capacity and would not affect Taiwanese fishers’ rights and benefits. Kuan made the remarks after confirmation on Tuesday that a 500-tonne Coast Guard Administration (CGA) patrol and rescue vessel would be given to the Philippine Coast Guard. The donation ceremony was reportedly done in Manila, but whether the vessel — previously numbered “CG123” and named Kinmen (金門) — has been handed over has yet to be confirmed. China’s Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) on Wednesday criticized the donation for “taking
The Ministry of Finance today announced the winning numbers for the July-August uniform invoice lottery. The winning number for the NT$10 million (US$314,663) special prize is 89996565, while the winning number for the NT$2 million grand prize is 91098182. Three numbers were drawn for the NT$200,000 first prize: 54348835, 44991397 and 06595111. Those with receipts matching the last seven digits of any of the first-prize numbers can claim the NT$40,000 second prize, while those matching the last six digits qualify for the NT$10,000 third prize. Those whose receipts match the last five digits of the first-prize numbers are eligible for the NT$4,000 fourth prize,
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