EDITORIAL: Where does Xu’s allegiance lie? The potential nomination has stirred debates, especially over the issue of mainland Chinese with dual nationalities being elected into office. The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) has addressed Xu’s case, saying that the act governing cross-strait relations only requires mainland Chinese to relinquish their household registration — not citizenship — in China to apply for ROC citizenship. Besides, mainland Chinese renouncing their household registration does not equate to giving up their Chinese nationality, and Beijing could still require them to obey its laws, including its Anti-Secession Law. Nonetheless, according to China’s Nationality Law, Chinese can apply to renounce their nationality and get a certification from the Ministry of Public Security.
