By Li Jingyao, Vision Times
Taiwan’s Executive Yuan, known as the the top administrative branch of Taipei’s government, has ordered all ministries and agencies to refrain from providing any documents or briefings to Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) lawmaker Lee Zhenxiu (李贞秀) until questions surrounding her citizenship status are resolved. The directive, issued by Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓荣泰), follows allegations that Lee retained her mainland Chinese nationality and household registration prior to taking office.
According to local media reports, Cho instructed during a Cabinet meeting on Feb. 26 that “before the legitimacy of this legislator’s qualifications is confirmed, all ministries are to refrain from providing any documents or confidential materials.” In effect, this means no materials, including routine information, are to be supplied until her eligibility is clarified.
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Cho emphasized that relevant provisions under the Act Governing Relations Between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area and the Nationality Act contain ambiguities and potential legal deficiencies in application. As such, he directed agencies to exercise extreme caution in handling requests.
Witholding documents
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Interior Minister Liu Shyh-fang (刘世芳) stated that her ministry would comply with the premier’s directive and avoid providing Lee with confidential materials. Deputy Interior Minister Ma Shih-yuan (马士元) confirmed that “the premier’s instructions are very clear,” adding that no materials would be provided “until the controversy is clarified.”
Ma said the issue must be resolved under the Nationality Act, noting that dual nationality cases involving elected officials are subject to strict interpretation. He also revealed that official correspondence from the Interior Ministry had been delivered to Lee, requesting documentation of nationality renunciation. However, he said Lee claimed she had not opened the document and had not provided a response.
“According to regulations, the renunciation of foreign nationality must be completed before assuming office,” Ma stated. “We still hope she can provide the relevant proof.” Ma added that until Lee’s legislative qualification is formally confirmed, ministries cannot treat her requests under the normal exercise of legislative authority. However, he noted that questioning sessions in the Legislative Yuan would still follow procedural rulings by the chamber’s presiding officer.
A controversial directive
The citizenship dispute has spilled into the legislative chamber. During the new session’s opening on Feb. 24, Premier Cho and Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) lawmaker Chen Pei-yu (陈培瑜) addressed Lee as “Ms. Lee” rather than “Legislator Lee,” prompting Lee to protest by holding up a placard that read: “Bullying.”
According to reports, Lee later accused Cho and Chen of “publicly bullying a legislator of the Republic of China” by refusing to use her official title. DPP lawmaker Wu Szu-yao (吴思瑶) stated that Lee approached the premier before the policy address, where Cho greeted her as “Ms. Lee.” The exchange became symbolic of the broader legitimacy dispute.
Chen Pei-yu later issued a statement questioning Lee’s eligibility. She argued that Lee had not completed necessary legal procedures and had disrupted parliamentary proceedings during general questioning. “As a public servant, has she set a proper example?” Chen asked.
Chen further alleged that Lee’s certificate of deregistration from mainland household registration did not conform to legal standards and that Lee may not have complied with requirements under the cross-strait statute when nominated in late 2023.
Political fallout
Under Taiwan’s Nationality Act, elected officials are required to renounce foreign nationality prior to assuming office. Chen noted that Lee cited mainland China’s non-cooperation as justification for not completing the process, contrasting this with other legislators who had completed formal renunciation procedures. Though Taiwan operates as a sovereign nation, Beijing views it as a breakaway province and has vowed to reclaim the self-governing island by “any means necessary,” including military force.
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Chen also raised national security concerns, pointing to China’s National Intelligence Law, which obligates Chinese citizens to cooperate with state intelligence work. “If she holds Chinese nationality, family members in China could be pressured,” Chen warned, suggesting potential risks related to legislative confidentiality.
From an international law perspective, Chen argued that allowing a person who retains Chinese nationality to serve as a legislator could provide Beijing with grounds to challenge Taiwan’s sovereignty narrative abroad. “Democratic countries do not allow individuals who have not renounced foreign nationality or whose loyalty may be compromised by an adversarial state to serve as members of parliament,” she said.