Passports are not proof of loyaltyBy Liu Che-ting 劉哲廷On a political figure’s first day in office, they are expected to lay out their governing direction, institutional responsibilities and public commitments. However, when the conversation immediately revolves around passports, the issue is less about the law and more about managing anxiety. The crux of Li’s gesture lies not in whether she does or does not possess a particular passport. It lies in her deliberate attempt to make a passport possess functions it was never meant to carry — a symbol of loyalty, proof of political identity and a moral shield against scrutiny. The country does not need to see the color of its cover, nor does it wish to participate in your identity performance.

Source: Taipei Times February 05, 2026 18:09 UTC