Taiwan Union: Mainland Residents Not ROC Citizens Post-1999; Invites Election Chief to Protest

The Taiwan Economic Democracy Union (EDU) has forcefully asserted that individuals from mainland China are no longer considered citizens of the Republic of China (ROC) following key legal revisions after 1999. This stance directly challenges recent remarks by the new Central Election Commission (CEC) Chairperson, You Ying-lung, who suggested that applying the "Nationality Law" to the political participation rights of spouses from the mainland is "far-fetched."

At a press conference outside the CEC, the EDU meticulously reviewed historical constitutional amendments, cross-strait regulations, and nationality laws. Their core argument hinges on the interpretation of laws enacted after 1999, particularly the "Immigration Law," which they contend explicitly excludes "Mainland Area residents" from the definition of ROC citizens. This legal redefinition, they argue, supersedes earlier provisions that operated under a "one China, two areas" framework.

The EDU has extended a public invitation to Chairperson You to join their May 1st "Bury the False Constitution" action. This event aims to critically examine the legitimacy of constitutional amendments passed by the "Ten Thousand Year National Assembly" – a legislature whose members were not democratically elected after 1949. The union emphasizes that such amendments, lacking democratic mandate, are invalid and do not represent the will of the Taiwanese people. Their call highlights a fundamental debate about national identity, sovereignty, and the legal status of individuals from mainland China in Taiwan's evolving political landscape.