Photo of Xiang Huaqiang’s family on Facebook
After Hong Kong film and television tycoon Xiang Hua Qiang bought mansions worth NT $600 million each in Beijing and Taipei, Taiwan media reported that Xiang wanted to invest and immigrate to Taiwan. However, whether Xiang’s family has gang background and his wife Chen LAN’s high-profile support for Beijing and criticism of Hong Kong’s anti-China movement may pose a problem for the ROC government. The Government of the Republic of China said it had not received Mr. Xiang’s application and could not comment.
Chen LAN, the wife of Hong Kong film and television tycoon Xiang Huaqiang, posted on her weibo account last month that she was “ready to give the couple a home in the capital of China”. According to Taiwan’s Apple Daily, Xiang gave his son a family of three nt $600 million mansions in Beijing and Taipei, as well as two pieces of Lin Kou land to his wife, Taiwanese actress Guo Beting. Chen LAN recently unpacked a luxury house in Taipei’s Xinyi District on her micro blog, overlooking Taipei 101 and an aerial swimming pool. Then, the latest issue of Taiwan’s “New News” magazine broke the news that Huaqiang wanted to invest in Taiwan.
Chen LAN was born in Taiwan, the outside world analysis if she still has Taiwan nationality, Xiang Huaqiang as long as close can become a “Republic of China” nationality. In addition, according to the investment and immigration regulations for Hong Kong people, they are required to invest NT $6 million (about 1.36 million RMB) in Taiwan, hire at least two employees in Taiwan every year, and do investment business for three years, which is a breeze for Xiang Huaqiang.
Xiang Huaqiang and his wife Chen LAN. (Weibo by Tai Chen LAN)
For children and grandchildren in Beijing, Taipei to buy a luxury home after coming out to want to invest in Taiwan
But The New News reported that Mr. Xiang, who is believed to want to ‘move’ his Hong Kong assets to Taiwan, is worried that his application will be blocked and is lobbying through Taiwan party officials and lawmakers.
Radio free Asia 17 to the verification of the ministry of economic affairs of Taiwan investment review board, TouShenHui leader Su Qiyan said: “now is the media in the speaking, he did not formally apply, there is no way for the application for review, he didn’t have to apply for the follow-up action, then he want to use what names? What project investment? I don’t know.”
According to The New News, Mr. Xiang’s father was a former major general in the Republic of China and a leader of the Hong Kong Shin Yi ‘an gang. Xiang huaqiang, who founded Insein Film in 1984 with his brother Xiang Huasheng, has signed four superstars, Chow Yun-fat, Andy Lau, Chow Xingchi and Jet Li. Xiang is best known for his role in the “Dragon Five” in the Gamesmaster series. Mr. Xiang and his current wife, Chen LAN, also known as Chen Mingying, a Taiwanese model, founded Insein Entertainment in 1994 to build a film and television empire in Hong Kong. Xiang Huaqiang has two sons, Xiang Zuo and Xiang You. Taiwan’s famous singer Xiao Jingteng shouted “godfather” to Huaqiang.
Xiang Huaqiang husband and wife and son to zuo, daughter-in-law Guo Beiting. (Weibo by Tai Chen LAN)
Taiwan is wary of allegations of gang affiliations and his wife’s high-profile support for Beijing
According to The New News report, if the Couple were to invest in Taiwan, they would pose a dilemma for the Government of the Republic of China, mainly because of the family’s ties to Hong Kong’s Xin Yi ‘an gang. And Chen LAN’s recent high-profile endorsement of Beijing’s patriotic line and criticism of Hong Kong’s anti-China campaign. She once declared that she would “never set foot in the United States again for the rest of her life” and loved “the ruling Chinese Communist Party”. Chen has also criticised Lam for being “wrong” and “too headstrong”.
“As for the identity of the investor, we will ask relevant departments to express their opinions. Will they have any objection or reservation? We will not know until we enter the examination process,” said Su Qiyan, the chairman of the examination committee.
Taiwan Investment Board: No investment in Huaqiang
Su Qiyan said, generally is the money into Taiwan, set up a good company, will come to the immigration agency for investment immigration, the review will examine the share capital investment part, will confirm is foreign or mainland investment? Hong Kong is considered as a foreign capital, many industries do not have investment proportion restrictions, if the film and television industry, telecommunications, cable TELEVISION, etc., there is a shareholding limit.
As for the transfer of assets, Mr. Su said, ‘There are many ways for people to buy property, buy a house, or open securities trading accounts to remit.’
In response to concerns about Mr. Xiang’s background, Lin Weizhou, a legislator from the opposition Kuomintang party, told RADIO Free Asia that he respected the existing system before the law was amended.
The ruling and opposition lawmakers said they would handle the case in accordance with the law
Lin Weizhou said: “We will do what is stipulated in the existing law, but do not exclude the revision of the law, there are provisions in the law can be limited, if there is no provision to go according to the existing law, there is no need for anything particularly subjective, the first trial, according to the existing law to deal with.
Wang Dingyu, a legislator from the ruling Democratic Progressive Party, also said in an interview with Radio Free Asia that there are certain measures for overseas investment in Taiwan, especially Chinese and Hong Kong investments. Taiwan is a democratic country under the rule of law. Investment, residence and naturalization in Taiwan are regulated by law and no one will seek special treatment.
However, Mr Wang said: “There are restrictions on the persecution of pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong, such as the Hong Kong police. The GOVERNMENT of the Republic of China has the power of censorship and can refuse him entry and naturalisation. There is a check mechanism.”
Lawyers in Taiwan worry about political censorship when operating film and television industry in Taiwan
Lai Zhongqiang, a lawyer who has long been concerned about the infiltration of the “red economy” into Taiwan, told RADIO Free Asia that Mr. Xiang was complicated by his influence in the entertainment industry, and that his personal relationships in the past should be closer to those of China’s party and government departments. In the past, when Mr. Yu wanted to open cinemas in Taiwan, civil society groups objected because they feared he would bring political censorship from China and Hong Kong to the island. Expanding the film and television industry to Taiwan would raise similar concerns. Chi Mei founder Xu Wenlong was threatened by China’s anti-secession law with tax checks and arrests of officials.
“We see a lot of artists coming to China being asked to say they are from Taiwan, to oppose Taiwan independence, to identify with one China,” lai said. “Show business is an industry that is highly influenced by political self-censorship and has a significant impact on Taiwan’s cultural autonomy and morale in Taiwan.”
‘Projects that are prohibited from Chinese investment, industries that have an impact on democratic political freedom of speech, and industries that involve ideas, concepts and creativity should all be avoided from being controlled by Chinese and Hong Kong investors,’ Mr. Lai said. Taiwan should attract immigrants who agree with Taiwan’s democratic system. If we want to bring the system of United Front of the Chinese Communist Party to Taiwan, we have to be vigilant. The government’s past neglect to establish the necessary censorship mechanisms and barriers is worrying.
People in Taiwan and Hong Kong: Taiwan’s stance on anti-China and anti-China defense will be taken into account
‘Mr. Xiang is an important figure in show business,’ lawyer Samp Samp, a Political commentator based in Hong Kong who emigrated to Taiwan, told RADIO Free Asia. ‘Is he involved in Hong Kong gangs or ties to China?’ Will his right of abode in Taiwan be affected if he and his wife support the route of sending Chinese to China and being pro-Communist party? In addition, many of Xiang’s films are sold to Taiwan. If he invests in Taiwan’s industry with his money, is there any “red industry” or “red factor” involved? I believe the national Security department will investigate and severely punish.
“Everyone has the right to apply for freedom,” Samp said. “Taiwan and the country stand in the center of defense and resistance, to see if he and his family can move straight to Taiwan to develop their career. In particular, the background of so many years should be made clear with the Chinese Communist Party.”
Samp said he believes The case of Xiang Huaqiang will not be a bad example of investment immigration, but an important benchmark for national security.
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