Hanoi: The household registration and passport of a Taiwanese man residing in China, who holds a Chinese ID, have been officially revoked, as announced by the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) on Saturday. The decision follows the man's public display of his Chinese identification documents during a livestream, where he also destroyed his Taiwan-issued passport.
According to Focus Taiwan, the individual, Ying Chih-hung, showcased his Chinese ID and passport in a livestream, an act that led to an investigation by Taiwanese authorities. The MAC confirmed that Ying possessed these documents, prompting Taiwan's government to cancel his household registration and passport. This action aligns with the Act Governing Relations between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area, which prohibits Taiwanese citizens from holding Chinese household registrations or passports.
Ying, a suspect in a fraud case, fled Taiwan in 2021 and is currently on a wanted list by the Taitung District Prosecutors Office. The Act emphasizes that despite the revocation of Taiwanese citizenship, Ying must still fulfill his legal responsibilities and obligations in Taiwan.
In his livestream, Ying, who operates a Chinese social media account under the alias "Taiwanese patriotic youth Ying Chih-hung," expressed his admiration for China and stated his intention to use his Chinese passport to return to Taiwan. The MAC, through its deputy head and spokesperson Liang Wen-chieh, revealed that a formal investigation into Ying's activities is underway.
Liang highlighted Ying's involvement in money laundering, which has resulted in his pursuit by law enforcement. The MAC urged Taiwanese citizens to disregard individuals like Ying, who seek refuge in China to evade legal consequences in Taiwan. Liang emphasized that China often acts as a sanctuary for Taiwanese criminals, a situation that could strain cross-strait relations.
Furthermore, the MAC called upon Chinese authorities to repatriate such individuals to Taiwan, ensuring they face the necessary legal repercussions.