Taipei, Taiwan – A political dispute over the eligibility of Legislator Li Cheng-ju continues to simmer in Taiwan, with a legislative session convened on Monday, March 11, 2026, failing to reach a consensus. Legislative Yuan Speaker Han Kuo-yu has ruled that Li’s status and exercise of legislative powers should be respected until a final judicial decision is reached, a move that has drawn criticism from opposition parties who question the validity of her citizenship.
The controversy centers on Li Cheng-ju, a member of the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) elected through the proportional representation system. Concerns have been raised regarding her previous citizenship status, specifically whether she adequately renounced her Chinese citizenship before assuming office. Taiwan’s laws require public officials to relinquish any foreign citizenship before taking office, a stipulation that has become a focal point of the debate. The situation highlights the complex legal and political landscape surrounding cross-strait relations and the qualifications of elected officials in Taiwan.
Legislative Stalemate and Han Kuo-yu’s Ruling
Speaker Han Kuo-yu convened a cross-party negotiation to address the “determination of Li Cheng-ju’s legislative status.” After approximately 40 minutes of discussion, no agreement was reached among the participating parties. Han Kuo-yu then issued a ruling stating that, pending a final judicial decision and the completion of factual investigations, Li Cheng-ju’s status as a legislator and her right to exercise legislative powers should be respected. This decision, reported by Liberty Times and United Daily News, effectively maintains the status quo while the legal questions surrounding her eligibility are resolved.
The ruling comes as the Interior Ministry has stated it has not received proof of Li Cheng-ju’s renunciation of Chinese citizenship, a key requirement under Taiwanese law. The lack of such documentation has fueled calls for a review of her eligibility to serve in the Legislative Yuan. The situation underscores the challenges faced by Taiwanese authorities in verifying the citizenship status of individuals with ties to mainland China, particularly in the context of political participation.
Interior Ministry and Land Council Concerns
Interior Minister Liu Shih-fang explained that Article 20 of Taiwan’s Nationality Act clearly stipulates that public officials must submit an application to renounce their foreign citizenship before taking office. The Ministry expects applicants to complete the renunciation process within one year of submitting the application. According to Liu, the Legislative Yuan is the body responsible for removing a legislator, should the necessitate arise. United Daily News reported that the Interior Ministry has sent three letters to the Legislative Yuan Secretary-General, the Central Election Commission, and the Mainland Affairs Council, requesting documentation of Li’s renunciation, but has yet to receive it.
The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) Chairman Chiu Pei-cheng stated that Li Cheng-ju’s identity conversion process was not completed, and the evidence is clear. Chiu Pei-cheng noted that individuals who still hold Chinese citizenship at the time of candidacy are ineligible to run for office, and their Taiwanese citizenship is as well questionable, violating the single-household registration system stipulated in the Cross-Strait People Relations Act. He further clarified that while Li Cheng-ju registered her residency in Taiwan in 1999, she only submitted proof of losing her Chinese household registration in March 2025. This timeline raises questions about her eligibility throughout her political career.
Central Election Commission and Party Positions
Wu Rong-hui, the acting chairman of the Central Election Commission (CEC), indicated that the CEC followed the law in supplementing the six legislators of the People’s Party. If it is discovered that a current legislator’s qualifications were problematic from the beginning, the matter will be referred to a newly established committee for review and discussion. This suggests a potential for further investigation and possible repercussions if Li Cheng-ju is found to have been ineligible from the outset.
The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) caucus leader, Chang Rui-hsiung, emphasized that the issue is not a matter for the party caucuses but rather a challenge for Legislative Yuan Speaker Han Kuo-yu to resolve. He stated that the DPP has no opinion on any individual and had no prior acquaintance with Li Cheng-ju. However, he pointed out that the existing law clearly defines the requirements for national loyalty and that the Speaker must exercise wisdom in navigating the situation. The DPP’s position underscores the legal complexities and the need for a clear resolution based on established laws.
Kuomintang (KMT) caucus chief deputy secretary-general Hsu Yu-jen stated that Li Cheng-ju has been formally sworn in at the Legislative Yuan under the witness of Constitutional judges and therefore has the same rights and obligations as every other legislator. This highlights the KMT’s support for respecting the established legislative process and the rights of elected officials.
Legal Framework and Potential Consequences
The core of the dispute lies in Taiwan’s Nationality Act, which governs citizenship requirements for public officials. The Act stipulates that individuals holding foreign citizenship must renounce it before assuming public office. This provision is intended to ensure the loyalty and allegiance of public officials to Taiwan. Failure to comply with this requirement can lead to disqualification from office.
The Cross-Strait People Relations Act further complicates the matter, particularly concerning individuals with ties to mainland China. The Act’s single-household registration system aims to prevent dual citizenship and ensure clarity regarding an individual’s national identity. The MAC’s assertion that Li Cheng-ju’s identity conversion was incomplete suggests a potential violation of this Act.
If Li Cheng-ju is ultimately found to be ineligible, the Legislative Yuan would likely need to initiate a by-election to fill the vacant seat. This could have significant implications for the balance of power in the legislature, particularly given the TPP’s relatively small representation. The outcome of the legal proceedings will therefore have far-reaching political consequences.
Next Steps and Ongoing Scrutiny
The situation remains fluid, with the final determination of Li Cheng-ju’s eligibility resting on the outcome of ongoing investigations and potential judicial rulings. The Legislative Yuan is expected to continue its scrutiny of the matter, and the Interior Ministry is likely to press for documentation of Li’s renunciation of Chinese citizenship. The CEC’s potential review by a newly formed committee also adds another layer of uncertainty.
The case has sparked a broader debate in Taiwan about the qualifications of elected officials and the need for stricter enforcement of citizenship requirements. It also highlights the challenges of navigating cross-strait relations in the context of political participation. The resolution of this dispute will likely set a precedent for future cases involving individuals with dual citizenship or ties to mainland China.
The next key development is anticipated to be a response from Li Cheng-ju’s legal team and the submission of any relevant documentation to the Legislative Yuan and the Interior Ministry. The public and political observers will be closely watching for any further developments in this evolving situation. The case underscores the importance of transparency and accountability in Taiwan’s political system.
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