Taipei: Premier Cho Jung-tai has directed Taiwan’s ministries and agencies to withhold all information, including classified materials, from Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) lawmaker Li Chen-hsiu while her legislative eligibility is under review, Executive Yuan Spokesperson Michelle Lee announced on Thursday.
According to Focus Taiwan, the controversy revolves around questions regarding Li’s eligibility to serve in the Legislative Yuan, stemming from her naturalization process. Li, originally from China, became a naturalized Taiwanese citizen through marriage and was inaugurated as a lawmaker on February 3. The Ministry of the Interior (MOI) has repeatedly requested proof from Li and the Legislative Yuan that she renounced her Chinese nationality before assuming office. Despite Secretary-General Chou Wan-lai’s response on February 13, the necessary documentation was not included, and the MOI has yet to receive confirmation of Li’s renunciation, as stated by MOI Director-General of the Department of Household Registration Chen Yung-chih.
Under Article 20 of Taiwan’s Nationality Act, any dismissal of a lawmaker must be conducted by the Legislative Yuan according to legal procedures, Chen noted. The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) highlighted issues with Li’s certificate canceling her household registration in China, describing it as “a bit strange” in format and content. The certificate was only recognized for its submission date to the National Immigration Agency (NIA) in March 2025, indicating that Li had dual household registrations when she registered as an at-large legislative candidate for the TPP at the end of 2023.
MAC Deputy Director-General of the Department of Legal Affairs Tung Yu-yun expressed concerns over eligibility requirements during candidate registration for elections. The MAC plans to collaborate with the MOI and the Central Election Commission (CEC) in early March to enhance verification procedures, aiming to prevent future occurrences of similar issues.
TPP founder and former chairperson Ko Wen-je urged Premier Cho to clarify whether a Chinese spouse of a Taiwanese citizen is deemed a foreign national and whether such individuals can participate politically after obtaining Taiwanese identification and citizenship. Ko declared that if the matter is publicly addressed, Li would resign. He criticized the withholding of information from Li as a divisive act, noting that the CEC approved her qualifications, issued her election certificate, and supervised her swearing-in.
The CEC stated that it manages election affairs based on legal precedents and will address invalid election outcomes according to the law and evidence provided by the competent authorities.