Two PRC Asylum Seekers in Taiwan Airport for over 100 Days|2中國旅客滯留桃機119天 可望解套!

Two PRC citizens named Yan Kefen and Liu Xinglian with refugee identity certificates issued by the United Nations have applied to Taiwan's government for political asylum. They have thus been living at the Taoyuan International Airport for 119 days, breaking the record. Now, the Mainland Affairs Council has finally agreed to arrange for them to leave Taiwan to go to a third, safe country, or allow them to enter Taiwan for a short time.


PRC nationals Yan Kefen and Liu Xinglian arrived in Taiwan as transit passengers last September. They applied for political asylum with UN-issued refugee identity certificates and have been living at Taoyuan International Airport now for a record 119 days. Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council has finally made a decision on their fate and will allow them to either leave Taiwan for a third, safe country, or stay in Taiwan for a limited time. It says it will respect Yan and Liu's choice.

(The council has made a decision. How do you feel right now, in your heart?) Overall, very happy. (So you're very happy?) Yes.

We have been taken care of. Right? On the one hand, our safety has been taken care of. On the other, every aspect of Taiwan('s needs) has been considered.

Both Yan and Liu are in the process of applying for political asylum in another country and say they need more time. The council has not informed them of its decision and they found out about it from the media.

If a professional organization issues an invitation and our government approves (the application) after reviewing it, (they) will be able to stay in Taiwan for the short term.

The council says it will take international convention and current policies and regulations into consideration to find a solution. If they are able to secure professional exchange invitations from human rights or civic groups and their application to enter Taiwan is approved by the government, they will in principle be able to stay in Taiwan for up to two months.