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Taipei is cracking down on Taiwanese individuals illegally procuring Chinese language id playing cards, apparently in a bid to comprise Beijing’s increasing affect.
The Mainland Affairs Council mentioned it’s taking motion towards residents who maintain legitimate id paperwork for each the self-governed island and the mainland.
Inside minister Liu Shyh-fang mentioned investigators have recognized a number of firms that allegedly assist individuals apply for Chinese language ID playing cards.
This comes shortly after two Taiwanese influencers shared a video exhibiting how Beijing is luring the island’s residents to use for Chinese language id playing cards in a tactic transfer to swing public opinion in its favour.
China considers Taiwan part of its territory and doesn’t rule out using drive to convey the island beneath its management. Taiwanese leaders, nevertheless, reject Chinese language sovereignty.
At the very least 4,000 Taiwanese residents are reported to have utilized for Chinese language id playing cards within the coastal metropolis of Xiamen in Fujian province. About half of them did so with out giving up their Taiwanese identification paperwork or journey permits required to go to the mainland.
One of many influencers behind the YouTube video, Pa Chiung, has alleged that three to 5 journey and public relations firms in Taiwan and two corporations in China are aiding Taiwanese residents in securing Individuals’s Republic of China id playing cards throughout journeys to the mainland.
Ms Shyh-fang confirmed this. “Three to 5 public relations corporations in southern and northern Taiwan have allegedly helped Taiwanese apply for Chinese language ID playing cards and are beneath investigation for potential authorized violations,” the minister mentioned earlier this month.
Ms Shyh-fang, whose ministry oversees Taiwan’s immigration and investigation businesses, mentioned at the very least 30 people are being questioned in reference to the procurement of Chinese language id papers.
The inside ministry can also be investigating whether or not the Taiwanese firms beneath investigation have been pushed by “purely business” motives or have been half of a bigger operation to advertise China’s annexation of Taiwan.
