DISCUSSION:Changes to the naturalization of Chinese children who have grown up in Taiwan would see the eligible quota increase from 180 to 200 people annually

Taipei Times
Date: Feb 22, 2016
By: Chung Li-hua / Staff reporter

Economic Democracy Union convener Lai Chung-chiang (賴中強) yesterday slammed the government over its decision to relax immigration regulations for Chinese, urging more discussion in the legislature.

Prior to the presidential and legislative elections last month the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) government announced new regulations allowing children of Chinese immigrant spouses from previous marriages to remain in Taiwan, an extension of the application pending period, and, for those over 20 years of age, permission to attend college during the pending period without returning to China.

Lai said that President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) should not make the decision when he is to step down in a few months, adding that the number of immigrants allowed in Taiwan needs more public discussion and that the decision should be made by the legislature.

The National Immigration Agency said that because most Chinese immigrant couples’ children grow up in Taiwan and graduate from Taiwanese high schools, it would be difficult for them to move to China and adapt to the education system.

Meanwhile, because most of these people would be able to obtain Taiwanese citizenship, the government would help them to complete higher education, based on “helping to develop domestic talents,” the agency said.     [FULL  STORY]