The National Immigration Agency says it will deal with Chinese dissident Wang Dan’s plan to re-enter Taiwan according to normal procedures.
In recent Facebook posts, Wang had expressed hope to return to Taiwan to have tests to find the cause of dizziness he has suffered the past few months. He is worried he may have a brain tumor and wants to get tests here because he is covered by Taiwan’s health insurance. That’s because he is a visiting professor at Tsing Hua University. Wang is now in the US.
On Tuesday, immigration officials said Wang needs to go through normal procedures to re-enter Taiwan. Immigration official Chang Su-hong spoke on the decision on Tuesday.
“We’ve decided that the case will be handled according to the law and normal procedures. Wang Dan will need a re-entry permit from the US to return to Taiwan," said Chang.
Wang is a Chinese citizen with a US green card. He was invited by Tsing Hua University to be a visiting professor, and his entry permit is valid until October 6 this year. Chang said as a Chinese citizen coming in from the US, Wang needs a US re-entry permit to re-enter Taiwan.
Wang is applying for the necessary document. But the process could take up to 9 months.
Chang said they are concerned about Wang’s health, but the case is now in the hands of the US authorities.
The immigration agency also revealed that they have received many phone calls from people threatening to surround the agency with protests if they make an exception for Wang Dan.