Staff writer, with CNAA naturalization request from French filmmaker Jean-Robert Thomann, who has documented Taiwanese culture over the past two decades, has been approved by the government for his contributions to the promotion of local culture overseas. The 48-year-old said his first encounter with Taiwan was in March 1996 when he came with his Taiwanese then-girlfriend due to his love of movies. Twenty-three years after his first visit, he has made 16 documentaries on Taiwanese culture and two feature films. However, it was not until earlier this year that he decided to pursue Taiwanese citizenship after the household registration office in Taipei’s Wanhua District (萬華), where he lives, informed him of the opportunity to be naturalized without having to give up his French citizenship, he said. Previously, applicants had to give up their original citizenship to become a Taiwan citizen, making many reluctant to do so.

Source: Taipei Times November 12, 2019 16:03 UTC