A total of 28 foreign nationals have been granted ROC (Taiwan) citizenship in 2023 following the amended 2016 Nationality Act. (Staff photo/Chin Hung-hao)
 

A total of 28 foreign nationals have been granted ROC (Taiwan) citizenship in 2023, spotlighting the government effort to attract and retain personnel from around the world, the Ministry of the Interior said Dec. 13.

According to statistics released by the MOI, most of the professionals are education specialists, with the next largest numbers being in technology and economics.

In terms of nationality, Americans top the list, totaling 12 naturalized citizens. There are two each from Australia, Indonesia and Vietnam, among other nationals, the ministry added.

Among the latest naturalized professionals in December is Israeli Matan Shelomi, associate professor in National Taiwan University’s Department of Entomology. He is an expert in insect microbial ecology and physiology who also offers English and online courses to help promote NTU’s bilingual policy and has received the College of Bioresources and Agriculture’s excellence teaching awards.

Another new Taiwan national is a pipa player and teacher from Switzerland who has been invited to participate in concerts and judge musical competitions at home and abroad, the MOI said, adding that she has close connections with the global musical community, which helps to promote the country’s arts to a worldwide audience.

Amended in December 2016, the Nationality Act enables highly specialized foreign professionals with expertise in art, culture, economy, education, sports and technology to retain their original nationality while obtaining ROC (Taiwan) citizenship that confers the right to vote and access to social welfare. (YCH-E)