TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Ministry of National Defense (MND, 國防部) announced Monday (March 10) that Taiwanese men with Chinese IDs must still fulfill their military service obligations. This decision aims to uphold fairness and prevent individuals from exploiting dual nationalities to evade service. The Ministry plans to introduce a declaration for voluntary service applicants to ensure their nationality status remains unchanged during service age.
The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC, 陸委會) elaborated on cross-strait regulations, clarifying that those who register residency or obtain a passport in mainland China will lose their Taiwanese identity. However, the responsibilities and obligations tied to their Taiwanese identity, including military service, remain intact. The Council emphasized that Article 11 of the "Enforcement Rules for the Act Governing Relations between Peoples of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area" (兩岸條例施行細則) includes military service as a legal obligation for Taiwanese citizens.
The Council highlighted that the relevant provisions aim to prevent service-age men from switching identities across the strait to avoid conscription. Furthermore, the nationality law prohibits service-age men from renouncing their nationality during this period. As these measures unfold, the MND and the MAC remain vigilant in ensuring compliance and safeguarding national security.