Chinese spouse Li Chen-hsiu announces run for Zhubei mayor; MAC says she must have renounced her Chinese household registration for 10 years

Aug 26, 2026

Li Chen-hsiu has announced she is entering the race for mayor of Zhubei, but the competent authorities say she may not be eligible to run at all — bad news for her.

  • Li announced her candidacy for Zhubei mayor on Facebook, saying it was a commitment made after careful consideration, not a spur-of-the-moment decision.
  • The Mainland Affairs Council said that a person originally holding Chinese nationality must have submitted proof of cancellation of their Chinese household registration for a full 10 years before they can run for public office in Taiwan.
  • Li only went to China to renounce her household registration in March 2025, leaving her far short of the 10-year threshold.
  • She was previously expelled from the Taiwan People's Party, which also cost her her at-large legislator seat.

Outlook: Whether she ultimately qualifies to run will be determined by the election authorities in accordance with the law, and she is likely to be blocked at registration.

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