Taiwanese are banned from holding positions in the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS), Confucius Institutes and other organizations affiliated with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) said yesterday after revisions to a list of prohibited groups took effect yesterday.
The original list was announced in 2004 after a 2003 amendment to Article 33-2 of the Act Governing Relations Between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area (台灣地區與大陸地區人民關係條例) prohibited Taiwanese from holding positions, or being members of political or military organizations of the CCP that have been identified by the MAC in consultation with other authorities.
Those contravening the rule are subject to punishment based on Article 90 of the act.
Photo: Taipei Times
Government officials, mayors of special municipalities and government workers who have handled diplomatic or national security matters face up to three years in prison and a fine of up to NT$500,000.
“The list had not been revised for more than 20 years, while the CCP has conducted major personnel adjustments multiple times. As such, the list needs to be revised as it no longer accurately reflects the status quo of the CCP,” the council said.
The list was revised based on the structure of the CCP, the Chinese People’s Liberation Army and the Chinese government, the council said, adding that it clearly states the names of the CCP-backed political and military organizations.
More political organizations have been added to the list, including the ARATS, Confucius Institutes, the All-China Federation of Taiwan Compatriots and the All-China Youth Federation, the MAC said, adding that the list also identifies related agencies, offices and branches.
“We consider it appropriate that the list includes all these political organizations and their affiliated agencies, as the CCP can change the names of organizations to evade oversight by Taiwanese authorities,” the council said.
The agencies on the list should be closely monitored, as they are part of China’s “united front” work to confound the national identity and loyalty of Taiwanese and compromise national security, it said.
“The political and economic systems of Taiwan and China are different,” it said. “When seeking employment in China, Taiwanese should carefully assess the risks and be sure to abide by government regulations.”
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