The scheduled swearing-in of Li Zhenxiu (李貞秀), a mainland Chinese–born member of the Taiwan People's Party (TPP), remains uncertain amid questions over whether she has met the requirements of Taiwan's Nationality Act to assume office.
Li, who is set to take office on February 1 as a proportional representation legislator, could become the first mainland-born lawmaker in Taiwan's history. However, the Ministry of the Interior (MOI) stated on January 29 that she is required to apply for the renunciation of her People's Republic of China (PRC) nationality before taking office, in accordance with Article 20 of the Nationality Act.
Under Article 20, Republic of China (PRC) citizens who also hold foreign nationality and seek to assume public office subject to nationality restrictions must apply to renounce their foreign citizenship prior to inauguration. They are then required to complete the loss of that nationality and submit certification within one year after taking office.
The MOI emphasized that legislators who fail to apply for foreign nationality renunciation before assuming office do not meet the requirements set out in the law. The ministry said it has formally notified the Legislative Yuan, urging the legislature to handle the swearing-in process in compliance with Article 20. If proof of nationality renunciation cannot be provided within the required timeframe, the law stipulates that the legislator should be removed from office by the legislature.
The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) has also commented on the case. At a press briefing on January 29, MAC Deputy Chairman Liang Wenchieh (梁文傑) said that relevant authorities have not received any application documents from Li regarding the renunciation of her PRC nationality.
“At this point, we have not seen her application,” Liang said, adding that he was unsure how the inauguration process would proceed in the absence of such documentation.
Liang explained that under China's nationality regulations, individuals seeking to renounce PRC citizenship may submit applications through immigration departments of local public security bureaus in China, or through Chinese diplomatic missions abroad if they reside overseas. However, he noted that approval timelines and outcomes vary and are not guaranteed.
