TAIPEI (TAIWAN) – Taiwan is all set to enhance scrutiny of mainland Chinese citizens residing in Hong Kong who wish to shift to the island nation. This comes in a bid to ensure that they do not indulge in espionage, said the government on Monday.
After Beijing imposed a new national security law on Hong Kong, Taiwan has welcomed residents of the financial hub to settle on the island. However, Taiwan officials have expressed concern over some immigrants being spies.
Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council said the new measures were put in place to “strengthen the management” of people from mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau who are residing in either of the two cities and wish to settle down in the island nation.
It aims to prevent them from “carrying out infiltration, united front, disturbance or spying activities”, the council said.
United front is a direct reference to the Chinese Communist Party’s United Front Work Department, which is tasked with co-opting overseas Chinese and non-communists.
The council explained that the order is aimed at residents of Macau and Hong Kong hailing from the mainland and those who are or previously were government or military office holders.
It said the applications from people belong those categories will have to undergo a cross-department review for the sake of national security.
China lays claims over Taiwan, which it calls its “sacred” territory and has always hinted at the use of force to wrest its control.
Though Taiwan and China have business relations and people-to-people exchanges, they remain suspicious of each other.
Last month, Taiwan set up an office to help Hong Kong residents who wish to settle on the island.
(Photos syndicated via Reuters)
This story has been edited by BH staff and is published from a syndicated field