Date: June 1, 2018
MAC Press Release No. 39
The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) and the Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) are holding the "Court Tour and Penghu Mainland Spouse Forum and Get-Together" in Penghu from June 1 to 2. MAC Minister Chen Ming-tong and SEF Chairperson Chang Hsiao-yueh listened to and express care for the living conditions of Mainland spouses residing in the outlying Penghu Islands during a meal with local Mainland spouses.
Minister Chen has long been concerned about issues related to the rights and interests of Mainland spouses. Since returning to the MAC on March 19 this year, Minister Chen has engaged in exchanges and interaction with new residents during visits to Kinmen and other areas. The purpose of the visit to Penghu this time is to express care for the living conditions of Mainland spouses on outlying islands, as well as to listen to Mainland spouses and understand their real life needs. Minister Chen explained that the MAC and related agencies will proactively assess policies of concern to the public. The MAC will continue to protect the rights and interests of Mainland spouses and their children living in Taiwan and serve as a pillar of support for Mainland spouses.
Chairperson Chang said that the people are greatest beauty of Taiwan and every Mainland spouse is a part of this most beautiful landscape. She said that her colleagues at the SEF care for and accompany Mainland spouses every step of the way. The SEF bears the duty to verify all required notarized documents, from applications for family-related visits to Taiwan and dependent residency after marriage registration to applications for long-term residency. The SEF also provides the fastest and most comprehensive services and will continue to be there for everyone in the future.
The "Court Tour" activity was held jointly by the MAC, the SEF, and Penghu District Court on the morning of June 1. Penghu District Court President Lee Shu-huei personally welcomed the Mainland spouses. The court arranged a tour of the courthouse and Joint Service Center. A family court judge provided a detailed explanation to help Mainland spouses understand the process of family-related court cases. During the visit, President Lee specially introduced the "advisory jury" system to be implemented after passage of an amended law and expressed hope that Mainland spouses would have the opportunity to participate in court trials in the future.
On the afternoon of June 1, Minister Chen attended the "2018 Penghu Exploration Camp for Hong Kong and Macao Students in Taiwan" and held discussions with Hong Kong and Macao students studying at universities in Taiwan. Responding to student concerns over work and business opportunities after graduation, Minister Chen explained that it is the government's policy to recruit outstanding talent from Hong Kong and Macao. Hong Kong and Macao residents currently have a variety of channels to develop in Taiwan, including the grading-based quota system for overseas Chinese and foreign students to work in Taiwan, Entrepreneur Visa, and the Act for the Recruitment and Employment of Foreign Professionals. Hong Kong and Macao graduates are welcome to stay in Taiwan to develop and pursue their life dreams. The MAC has also proactively sought to include Hong Kong and Macao residents in the " Major Elements of a Proposed New Economy Immigration Bill” by the Executive Yuan.
On the morning of June 2, the MAC, Penghu County Government, and the SEF will jointly hold an activity for Mainland spouses and their family members at the Penghu Living Museum. They have invited local Mainland spouses and their families to join a DIY painting activity and lunch exchanges. Mainland Chinese spouse Huang Chunmei will share her experience living and raising children in Penghu. On the afternoon of June 2, the MAC and the SEF will visit the successful cobia farm operated by mainland Chinese spouse Chang Menghsin and her husband Weng Ping-sheng, listen to the couple's story of struggling to start a business, and experience local life first hand.
The MAC stated that the Penghu event and exchanges and interactions with local Mainland spouses were arranged to extend the government's care to Mainland spouses in remote areas. The MAC and the SEF thanked the Penghu County Government, National Immigration Agency, and Penghu District Court for their strong support and assistance for the activity. The MAC will continue to jointly work with related agencies to resolve issues faced by Mainland spouses living in Taiwan in the hope that Mainland spouses and their children can integrate into local life as soon as possible and make Taiwan their true home.