Lu's spouse Li Zhenxiu runs for Zubei mayor; committee stresses ten-year domicile loss requirement.

Former Taiwan People's Party legislative candidate Li Chen-hsiu, who is originally from mainland China, officially announced her bid for the mayoralty of Chupei City in Hsinchu County. The move immediately sparked widespread attention and discussion in political and civic circles. Regarding the controversy over her specific eligibility to run, the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) clearly stated during a regular press conference and in media responses that, according to Taiwan's current relevant laws, individuals originally from mainland China who wish to run for public office in Taiwan must officially submit proof of loss of their original household registration to the competent authority, and this proof must have been in effect for at least ten years to meet the statutory qualifications for candidacy. The MAC emphasized that the specific determination of Li's eligibility to run falls under the jurisdiction of election administration agencies at all levels and must be strictly reviewed and finally adjudicated by electoral units in accordance with current regulations.

The core dispute of this incident lies in the intersection and application of Taiwan's laws governing cross-strait relations, the Public Officials Election and Recall Act, and regulations related to nationality. For a long time, Taiwan's Act Governing Relations Between People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area has established a relatively strict set of review standards for the political participation rights of former mainland Chinese residents after they acquire Taiwanese identity. This is based not only on considerations of national security and the defense of the democratic constitutional order, but also to ensure that public officials' loyalty to Taiwan is beyond doubt. When Li's name previously appeared on the Taiwan People's Party's legislator-at-large list, it had already triggered legal debates across society regarding the limits of political participation for former mainland Chinese residents. Now, by further extending the battlefield to the mayoral election in the key municipality of Chupei City, she is directly touching the sensitive nerves of existing laws.

From a legal perspective, the MAC's mention of the regulation requiring the submission of proof of loss of original household registration for a full ten years ensures that former mainland Chinese residents can participate in Taiwan's local autonomy and the operation of the core of state power only after completely breaking away from the political and legal constraints of their country of origin for a considerable period. The legislative intent behind this provision is to prevent potential foreign influence and safeguard national security. However, in practical operations, obtaining and submitting the so-called "proof of loss of original household registration" for former mainland Chinese residents often involves tedious and complex cross-strait document verification procedures, and they may even face deliberate obstruction or non-cooperation from relevant authorities across the strait. This also causes many individuals with mainland spouse backgrounds to experience a tug-of-war between the strict wording of regulations and practical operational difficulties when fighting for their rights.

As the political and economic hub of Hsinchu County, Chupei City not only sees continuous population growth but is also the location of the Hsinchu Science Park, a vital center for the technology industry. Elections for its local leader have always received high attention from various political parties and local factions. Li's choice to target the mayoralty of Chupei City is undoubtedly an attempt to maintain her political visibility through a local election and to expand the Taiwan People's Party's political footprint at the local grassroots level. However, following the announcement of her candidacy, the issue of eligibility immediately became the focus of public opinion. Election authorities must next face scrutiny and pressure from all sides, strictly examining whether Li has fully prepared the statutory proof of loss of original household registration in accordance with the Act Governing Relations Between People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area, the Public Officials Election and Recall Act, and other relevant laws and regulations, and calculating whether the ten-year period meets the requirements. Not a single trace of ambiguity is allowed in any link.

From a broader political and social implication, the controversy over Li's eligibility to run for mayor of Chupei highlights the regular tension Taiwan faces between deepening cross-strait exchanges and safeguarding national security. As more and more former mainland Chinese residents put down roots in Taiwan, the balance between their political rights, civil rights, and national security remains an issue that a democratic society must continuously dialogue about and adjust. The MAC's remarks this time are not merely a procedural explanation for a single case, but a reiteration of the Republic of China's basic bottom line regarding the qualifications of public officials under the principle of the rule of law. How election authorities rule on Li's application to run in the future will not only determine whether her personal electoral path can materialize, but will also become an important constitutional and legal precedent for Taiwan in handling similar cases of former mainland Chinese residents running for public office.

(Source of Facts: Central News Agency)