In recent years, there has been an exodus of Hong Kong residents, and apart from the UK and Canada, Taiwan has been one of the popular destinations for immigration. However, there have been voices suggesting that some Hong Kongers have been rejected for reasons related to “national security.”
Control Yuan (the supervisory and audit branch of the Taiwan government) members Chi Hui-jung, Yeh Ta-hua, and Shih Chin-fang issued a press release, urging Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council, the National Immigration Agency, and the Investment Review Committee, Ministry of Economic Affairs to review immigration policies for Hongkongers to align with the government’s “Support Hong Kong, Support Hong Kongers” policy.
The official website of the Control Yuan of Taiwan posted a news release on Aug. 19, stating that the Joint Meeting of the Domestic and Ethnic Affairs Committee and the Finance and Economic Committee of the Control Yuan approved an investigation report proposed by Control Yuan members Chi Hui-jung, Yeh Ta-hua, and Shih Chin-fang on Aug. 15.
The news release mentioned the “Anti-Extradition Law Amendment Bill Movement” in Hong Kong in 2019 and the intense protests by Hongkongers. Following these events, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) passed the “Hong Kong National Security Law” the following year, “leading to an accelerated loss of freedom and human rights for Hong Kong residents, forcing them to migrate to free nations.” In response to the changes in Hong Kong, the Taiwanese government researched the “Hong Konger Humanitarian Aid and Concern Action Plan” based on President Tsai Ing-Wen’s instructions. It also considered political, security, and freedom factors in handling and assisting Hongkongers in Taiwan under Article 18 of the “Act Governing Relations with Hong Kong and Macao.”
However, there have been external criticisms that the Taiwanese government has applied a “one-size-fits-all” approach, suspecting that Hongkongers born in mainland China or with Chinese-related factors have all had their residency and settlement applications denied. Moreover, the National Immigration Agency of Taiwan has not provided detailed explanations for the rejection, merely mentioning that applicants were former mainland residents or had “national security concerns,” which has caused discussion among applicants.
The investigation by the Control Yuan found that the Taiwanese government believes that the CCP, after the transfer of sovereignty in Hong Kong in 1997, encouraged a large number of mainland Chinese to move to Hong Kong through policies such as the non-permanent residents, one-way permits, Mainland Residents Immigration Plan, and study and investment schemes, strengthening infiltration and control over the Hong Kong region.
Combined with the passage of the “Hong Kong National Security Law” in 2020, the Taiwanese government considered it necessary to urgently amend relevant provisions of the Regulations Governing Permits for Hong Kong and Macau Residents entering the Taiwan area and setting up residence or registered permanent residence in Taiwan, such as adding the “Party-Political-Military-Media Clauses” and “National Security Joint Review Mechanism.” This would result in enhanced scrutiny of Hong Kong residents who were former mainland residents to “address national security vulnerabilities.”
The three Control Yuan members stated that the Mainland Affairs Council should continue to follow up on cases related to the Hong Konger Humanitarian Aid and Concern Action Plan with the goal of assisting Hongkongers in obtaining residency and settlement in Taiwan. This will underscore the Taiwanese government’s commitment to upholding universal human rights values and supporting Hongkongers in pursuing freedom and democracy.
They also specifically suggested that the Mainland Affairs Council and the National Immigration Agency, in addition to clearly explaining the reasons for rejecting Hong Kong residents’ residency and settlement applications, should use various opportunities and communication channels to promote and explain relevant regulations continuously and work with Hong Kong applicants to clarify misunderstandings.
Regarding the Hongkongers’ “investment immigration,” they recommended that the Investment Commission of the Ministry of Economic Affairs increase the number of personnel for reviews to shorten processing times. Additionally, the Mainland Affairs Council should work with the National Immigration Agency to develop specific and workable standards for the review of “investment immigration.” They should also consider establishing a case progress inquiry website to avoid disputes arising from information discrepancies.
The regulations should explicitly state the threshold for Hong Kong residents in the “employing two Taiwanese for three years” investment requirement. Furthermore, they suggested that the management of immigration intermediary businesses should be strengthened, third-party evaluations should be commissioned, and lists of excellent immigration companies should be published in a timely manner.
