CCP encourages people from Taiwan to apply for “Three Certificates”, Taiwan government is alert

According to a report by the Financial Times, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is accelerating efforts to facilitate Taiwan residents to apply for the “Three Certificates” – including residence permit, bank card, and local mobile phone card, and further issuing local identity cards exclusively for use by Chinese citizens to Taiwanese individuals. This move has raised concerns within the Taiwanese government.

A senior official responsible for Taiwan policies stated, “As more and more Taiwanese individuals acquire Chinese citizenship, our judicial sovereignty will be threatened.”

He explained that if a Taiwanese individual holding a Chinese identity card is involved in an incident in Taiwan, the CCP could potentially use this as a means to interfere in Taiwan’s internal affairs.

This action comes at a time when the CCP continues to increase pressure on Taiwan. A similar strategy was previously employed by Russia, with Moscow issuing passports to neighboring countries’ citizens and subsequently intervening in other countries’ internal affairs under the guise of protecting its citizens.

Taiwanese national security officials pointed out that the CCP’s current efforts to facilitate Taiwanese residents in applying for local identities pose similar risks. At the end of 2024, in a documentary exposing CCP united front tactics by Taiwanese anti-Communist internet personality Bajiong, it was revealed that Chinese personnel claimed that around 200,000 Taiwanese individuals hold Chinese identity cards.

Multiple Taiwanese officials, travelers, and businesspeople revealed that in recent months, Taiwanese individuals traveling to China have frequently been required to fill out applications for the “Three Certificates.” Some travelers mentioned that upon arriving in Xiamen from Kinmen by ferry, immigration procedures included filling out the “Three Certificates” form. Additionally, related application stations were set up at the scene of CCP united front activities such as the “Straits Forum.”

Beijing states that the residence permit can provide convenience for Taiwanese individuals to access local public services. However, Taiwanese officials point out that the residence permit often serves as a springboard for applying for Chinese identity cards or even gets directly replaced. The CCP also offers preferential loans and real estate transactions as incentives to vigorously promote the conversion of Taiwanese identities.

According to Taiwanese law, individuals obtaining Chinese citizenship will have their Taiwanese household registration canceled.

According to Taiwanese government data, in 2023, 217,000 Taiwanese individuals were working in China, which is only half of the peak ten years ago, but a 22% increase from 2022.

President of Taiwan, Lai Ching-te, urged the public in his New Year’s speech not to be tempted by the short-term benefits of Chinese citizenship. He emphasized, “There is a saying in Taiwan, ‘The most expensive thing is something that is free.'”

Lai Ching-te warned that choosing Chinese citizenship could result in losing opportunities for international travel. He used the example of Chinese citizens risking illegal immigration to other countries as a cautionary tale, reminding Taiwanese individuals to cherish the democracy and freedom they possess and avoid falling into the wrong path.