XU Wenli Calls for Issuing Special Passports of the Republic of China
【Editor’s Note: Renowned Chinese dissident Xu Wenli has issued an open letter urging Taiwan to offer "special Republic of China passports" to mainland Chinese citizens over 75 as a potential solution to ease cross-strait tensions. This followed Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te's "Motherland Theory," asserting that the People's Republic of China cannot be the motherland of the Republic of China's citizens. Xu proposed that mainland citizens born before October 1, 1949, who identify with the Republic of China, should have the right to apply for these passports, which could grant visa-free access and voting rights. However, scholars like Professor Ye Yaoyuan argue that legal obstacles exist, noting the difficulty of re-establishing citizenship ties under current international norms. Taiwan's immigration laws, political identity, and practical challenges further complicate the proposal, making its implementation unlikely in the short term.】
Responding to the “Motherland Theory”: Renowned Chinese dissident Xu Wenli has issued an open letter urging the Taiwanese government to issue "special Republic of China passports" to mainland Chinese citizens over the age of 75 as a potential solution to ease cross-strait tensions.
Lai Ching-te: The People's Republic of China Can Never Be the "Motherland" of the People of the Republic of China
After Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te proposed the "Motherland Theory" during the National Day celebration on October 10, Xu Wenli, a prominent overseas dissident, responded with an open letter. He called on the Taiwanese government to grant special Republic of China passports to mainland Chinese citizens born before October 1, 1949, who identify with the Republic of China. The proposal has sparked widespread discussion regarding its feasibility.
During Taiwan’s National Day celebration on October 5, President Lai Ching-te noted the stark age difference between the People’s Republic of China (75 years old) and the Republic of China (113 years old). He asserted, "The People's Republic of China can never become the motherland of the people of the Republic of China; instead, the Republic of China may very well be the motherland of citizens over 75 years old in the People’s Republic of China." In response, Xu Wenli, a Chinese pro-democracy leader residing in the United States, issued an open letter to both Lai Ching-te and the President of Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan, Han Kuo-yu (韩国瑜), advocating for mainland Chinese citizens born before October 1, 1949, who recognize the Republic of China, to be granted the right to apply for a "special Republic of China passport."
In an interview with this station, Xu Wenli said, "The Taiwan issue is one of the most complex regional issues, but President Lai Ching-te has made an excellent speech, and this approach (the special passport mechanism) offers a solution that all sides might find relatively satisfactory." Xu also stated that if implemented, this proposal could help resolve the Taiwan issue through democratic voting, aligning with the interests of the United States, China, and Taiwan in achieving a "peaceful resolution of cross-strait conflicts."
In his open letter, Xu expressed his hope that the proposal to issue special passports could become a bill submitted for review by Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan. Once the relevant regulations are passed, he said he would establish a "Republic of China Special Passport Application Agency" to assist applicants in obtaining these passports.
Xu’s draft plan outlines that citizens holding these "special passports" would enjoy the same "visa-free access" to various countries as Republic of China citizens and would also have "electronic voting rights" in major elections. Furthermore, holders of these passports could apply to Taiwan’s immigration bureau for entry permits and residency status. However, these individuals may not receive the same level of medical benefits, with relevant regulations still needing further planning by Taiwanese authorities.
Scholars: Legal Barriers Exist to Implementing the "Special Passport" System
However, Xu Wenli’s proposal seems to face significant legal challenges. Professor Ye Yaoyuan (叶耀元) from the University of St. Thomas, an expert in international studies, explained to our station, "Since the entire territory of China is occupied by the People's Republic of China, the people within that territory belong to the People's Republic of China. Unless they had fled abroad before, their household registration and national identity are still tied to the People's Republic of China. With two separate sovereignties, this notion (returning to the Republic of China citizenship) is unfeasible. Your nationality is determined by the land you inhabit, and land takes precedence over people."
Ye further illustrated with the example of Native Americans in the United States: "Before the British annexed the land, Native Americans had no concept of a motherland or state. When it (America) became British territory, they became British subjects. After the American Revolution, they transitioned from British to American citizens because they lived on this land. The situation of regime transition includes the occupied territories and the people residing on them."
Tan Yao-nan (谭耀南), Chairman of Huiri International Policy Consulting Group in Taiwan, echoed similar sentiments in an interview with our station, stating that Lai Ching-te’s "Motherland Theory" is more of a political statement, and it is unlikely that the Taipei authorities will implement such an immigration policy in the short term. "President Lai’s primary aim with this rhetoric is to assert that the People's Republic of China has no authority to represent Taiwan or its people... This is meant to rally internal consensus in Taiwan and to voice Taiwan’s position on the international stage."
Tan also pointed out that for citizens of the People's Republic of China to switch to Republic of China nationality, it would be legally challenging based on current Taiwanese law. "The ‘over 75’ demographic division relates more to political identity and national identity—it's an emotional identification. Can emotional recognition be translated into legal recognition? I believe it’s difficult to use age as a dividing line. There's no historical precedent for such an age-based approach."
From: Free Asia Radio
October 16, 2024