As about one-fifth of Hong Kong’s population was born in mainland China, national security concerns must be taken into account when they apply for residency, the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) said on Thursday in response to a Control Yuan report criticizing the council for impediments faced by Hong Kongers seeking to live in Taiwan.
A report written by three Control Yuan members said that government ministries and agencies should reassess policies on Hong Kongers applying for residency or immigration to Taiwan, including whether applicants face higher thresholds or restrictions to qualify, a longer vetting process or are rejected because of national security concerns.
“We support Hong Kongers’ pursuit of a free and democratic lifestyle. However, whether they are applying for permanent residency or immigration to Taiwan, it is a serious decision and the council has to assess each case based on individual needs, as well as national security concerns,” MAC Deputy Minister Jan Jyh-horng (詹志宏) said on Thursday.
Photo: Chen Yu-fu, Taipei Times
Hong Kong has a population of about 7.5 million, 1.5 million of whom were born in mainland China before they moved and settled in Hong Kong, Jan said.
“Background checks on Chinese citizens [from the mainland] require more time, which we hope the Control Yuan understands. For people who meet the requirements, the supervising government agencies would approve their applications in due course,” he said.
“There are now about 43,000 Hong Kongers living in Taiwan, which is not a small figure,” Jan said, adding that “7,600 Hong Kongers have obtained permanent residency in Taiwan.”
“If the Control Yuan does not understand any aspect [of the evaluation process], the MAC is willing to meet and explain in detail any questions and issues raised by Control Yuan members,” Jan said.
Headed by Chi Hui-jung (紀惠容), the three Control Yuan members unveiled their report last week, singling out the MAC, the National Immigration Agency and the Investment Commission for imposing high thresholds, a lack of cross-ministerial communication and various restrictions, which they said hinder Hong Kongers from obtaining permanent status to stay and work in Taiwan.
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