According to media reports in Taiwan, the former chairman of Macau-based junket Tak Chun Group, Levo Chan, has had his application for a residency permit rejected after the Taipei High Administrative Court ruled an appeal unsuccessful due to Chan being a former member of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).
The case dates back to January 2022, right around the time Chan was arrested by Macau’s Judiciary Police on allegations of illegal gambling, running a criminal syndicate and money laundering. He was sentenced to 14 years in prison in April of this year.
Chan’s wife, Ady An, is a resident of Taiwan, meaning Chan is allowed to apply for a residency permit from the Taiwan Immigration Department. According to Taiwan’s Central News Agency (CNA), his residency permit was initially granted on 27 August 2020, with an expiration date of 30 January 2022. It is reported that Chan had entrusted a friend to renew his residency permit on his behalf, but the Immigration Department refused to do so.
According to the reports, new regulations that came into force in Taiwan in 2021 prevent individuals from gaining or having residency renewed if they have served in “politically motivated organizations” in China. Chan is a former member of the Chinese People’sPolitical Consultative Conference and the Executive Vice President of the Macao Friendship Association of Former Members of the National People’s Congress and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference of Fujian Province.
His appeal was earlier rejected by authorities, resulting in an appeal to the Taipei High Administrative Court. He argued that his application for extension of stay was a continuation of the original permission granted by authorities, and that his case should be examined under the previous rules. Chan also argued out that he had never joined any political party in mainland China, that there was no information about him on the official website of the CPPCC, and that it was impossible for him to be engaged in political work in mainland China given his heavy involvement in gaming in Macau.
However, the Taipei High Administrative Court found that the official website of Macau Legend Development Limited – of which Chan became a major shareholder and Chairman in November 2020 – and certain media interviews with Chan showed that he had indeed served as a member of the CPPCC. Therefore, his application for extension of stay as a dependent relative was rejected and his residence permit was revoked.
On 21 April this year, Chan was convicted by the Macao Court of First Instance of 34 charges, including triad crimes, illegal betting and fraud, and was sentenced to 14 years in prison.
