A former Taiwan People's Party lawmaker born in mainland China has declared a run for mayor of Zhubei, and whether she can legally stand is now in the hands of election officials — an unresolved test of Taiwan's rules on Chinese-born candidates.

• Li Zhen-xiu announced a bid for Zhubei mayor despite an unsettled question over her eligibility.
• Taiwan's rules require Chinese-born residents to wait 10 years after handing in proof they gave up their Chinese household registration before running for office.
• The Mainland Affairs Council says it is up to the election commission, not the council, to rule on her case.
• Li only submitted that proof in March 2025, meaning the clock started barely a year ago.
• She already lost a seat in a similar fight — officials said she held both Chinese and Taiwanese registration when the party nominated her as a legislator in late 2023.

Outlook: Election officials will have to rule on her eligibility, and the 10-year clock makes rejection the likely outcome.