The Ministry of the Interior yesterday said it is willing to assist Taiwan-based Ukrainian actress and model Larisa Bakurova in her efforts to seek Republic of China (ROC) citizenship.
Bakurova, who has worked in Taiwan for more than seven years and who married a Taiwanese last year, earlier this month said that she had wanted to renounce her Ukrainian nationality and obtain Taiwanese nationality for the past three years, but has been unable to do so at Ukrainian embassies overseas, reportedly because Taiwan and Ukraine do not have formal ties.
Bakurova holds a Taiwanese permanent resident certificate.
Photo: Chen Yi-chuan, Taipei Times
Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Chao Tien-lin (趙天麟) questioned Minister of the Interior Chen Wei-zen (陳威仁) over the issue during a legislative session yesterday, in which Chen said that his ministry is “willing to assist” Bakurova.
Wanda Chang (張琬宜), head of the ministry’s Department of Household Registration Affairs, said that as far as her ministry knows, it is the first case involving a Ukrainian citizen seeking ROC citizenship.
Chang said that after Bakurova renounces her Ukrainian nationality and provides the renunciation certificate to the Taiwan government, she can apply to be naturalized as an ROC citizen.
In response to media reports that the Ukrainian government has rejected Bakurova’s application to relinquish her Ukrainian nationality, Chang cited Taiwan’s Nationality Act (國籍法) as saying that if Bakurova cannot obtain the renunciation certificate for reasons beyond her control, and foreign affairs authorities investigate and determine that it is true, then Bakurova does not need to provide the certificate.
Bakurova took to Facebook yesterday to express her gratitude for the support she has received. “I cried... Truly, thank you. Thank you Taiwan,” she wrote.
Bakurova has acted in TV dramas and films, including They Kiss Again, Don’t Go Breaking My Heart and Young Dudes.
Hong Kong singer Eason Chan’s (陳奕迅) concerts in Kaohsiung this weekend have been postponed after he was diagnosed with Covid-19 this morning, the organizer said today. Chan’s “FEAR and DREAMS” concert which was scheduled to be held in the coming three days at the Kaohsiung Arena would be rescheduled to May 29, 30 and 31, while the three shows scheduled over the next weekend, from May 23 to 25, would be held as usual, Universal Music said in a statement. Ticket holders can apply for a full refund or attend the postponed concerts with the same seating, the organizer said. Refund arrangements would
Taiwanese indie band Sunset Rollercoaster and South Korean outfit Hyukoh collectively received the most nominations at this year’s Golden Melody Awards, earning a total of seven nods from the jury on Wednesday. The bands collaborated on their 2024 album AAA, which received nominations for best band, best album producer, best album design and best vocal album recording. “Young Man,” a single from the album, earned nominations for song of the year and best music video, while another track, “Antenna,” also received a best music video nomination. Late Hong Kong-American singer Khalil Fong (方大同) was named the jury award winner for his 2024 album
Palauan President Surangel Whipps Jr arrived in Taiwan last night to kick off his first visit to the country since beginning his second term earlier this year. After arriving at Taoyuan International Airport at around 6:30 pm, Whipps and his delegation were welcomed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍). Speaking to gathered media, the Palauan leader said he was excited and honored to be back in Taiwan on his first state visit to Taiwan since he was sworn in this January. Among those traveling with Whipps is Minister of State Gustav N. Aitaro, Public Infrastructure
Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) on Friday laid out the Cabinet’s updated policy agenda and recapped the government’s achievements ahead of the one-year anniversary of President William Lai’s (賴清德) inauguration. Cho said the government had made progress across a range of areas, including rebuilding Hualien, cracking down on fraud, improving pedestrian safety and promoting economic growth. “I hope the public will not have the impression that the Cabinet only asked the legislature to reconsider a bunch of legal amendments,” Cho said, calling the moves “necessary” to protect constitutional governance and the public’s interest. The Cabinet would work toward achieving its “1+7” plan, he said. The
RSS