New Exit-Entry Rules in Mainland China: Will Travelers Be Unable to Return to Taiwan? TAO States: Taiwan Compatriots Are Chinese Citizens, No Need to Worry About Risks When Traveling to Mainland

The Chinese mainland authorities recently announced the 'Regulations on Exit and Entry Administration' issued by the State Council. Under these regulations, if 'Chinese citizens' violate the rules, the authorities may prohibit them from exiting the country. Zhu Fenglian, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO), stated on August 19 that Taiwan residents do not need to worry about any risks when traveling to the mainland. Zhu subsequently reiterated that Taiwan compatriots are Chinese citizens and that the Chinese government always places high importance on safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of Taiwan compatriots overseas.

What Are the 'Regulations on Exit and Entry Administration'? The State Council of China recently released the 'Regulations on Exit and Entry Administration,' which will officially take effect on September 15. The new regulations state that if a Chinese citizen violates export control regulations and poses a potential threat to national industrial or technological security, the government may prohibit that individual from exiting the country.

In Taiwan, there is concern that because Beijing does not recognize the Republic of China passport, Taiwan residents entering mainland China using the Taiwan Compatriot Permit may be regarded as 'Chinese citizens,' meaning the new regulations could also apply to Taiwanese traveling to the mainland.

What Is the Taiwan Compatriot Permit? Are There Risks in Traveling to the Mainland? The Taiwan Compatriot Permit, officially known as the 'Mainland Travel Permit for Taiwan Residents,' is a travel and identity document issued by mainland China to Taiwan residents. Its primary function is to allow Taiwan residents to enter and exit mainland China.

However, Gui Hongcheng, a Peking University law doctor and chairman of the Democratic Culture and Education Foundation, told Storm Media that the Taiwan Compatriot Permit is merely a 'travel document' and holding it does not equate to becoming a citizen of the People's Republic of China.

On August 19, the Taiwan Affairs Office held a press conference. A mainland media outlet asked about the 'Regulations on Exit and Entry Administration,' which will take effect on September 15. The Taiwan Affairs Council (TAC) stated that such regulations could affect Taiwanese businesspeople, executives, and professionals in the technology and semiconductor industries investing or working in mainland China, urging them to conduct risk assessments. A small number of Taiwan residents have reportedly been misled into worrying about risks when entering or leaving the mainland. What is your comment on this?

TAO: No Need for Taiwan Residents to Worry About Risks When Traveling to the Mainland Zhu Fenglian said, 'Taiwan residents do not need to worry at all about risks when traveling to the mainland.' The 'Regulations on Exit and Entry Administration' are designed to standardize exit and entry management, protect the legitimate rights and interests of travelers, and safeguard national sovereignty, security, and development interests. The regulations primarily aim to strengthen risk prevention systems for outbound travel, clarify that exit and entry applications must be based on genuine and legal reasons, and regulate exit and entry intermediary services. These regulations will help protect the legitimate rights and interests of cross-strait travelers and create a better legal environment for Taiwan compatriots coming to the mainland.

The DPP authorities are spreading alarmist rhetoric with malicious intent. They are doing everything possible to restrict cross-strait exchanges, going to great lengths to prevent compatriots on both sides from growing closer, and employing various tactics such as suppression, intimidation, and spreading rumors. The TAC is at the forefront, acting as a stumbling block to cross-strait exchanges. In the first half of this year, 2.85 million Taiwan residents visited the mainland, a year-on-year increase of 24.9%. During the summer vacation, Taiwan compatriots visiting the mainland for tourism and exchanges have been arriving in a steady stream. These figures clearly respond to the DPP authorities' attempts to restrict and obstruct exchanges. Faced with the overwhelming trend of cross-strait exchanges, the DPP authorities fear most that their constructed information cocoons are being continuously broken and their fabricated 'Taiwan independence' narratives are being repeatedly exposed. This is why they continue to make baseless accusations.

TAO: Taiwan Compatriots Are Chinese Citizens A Taiwan media outlet asked about a recent incident in which a Taiwan resident's passport was confiscated upon entry into Uganda, and they were required to switch to a mainland Chinese passport. What is your comment on this? What assistance and solutions can the mainland provide for Taiwan residents traveling to other countries or facing similar issues abroad?

Zhu Fenglian stated, 'There is only one China in the world, and Taiwan is part of China.' She added that China does not object to民间-level economic and cultural exchanges between the Taiwan region and foreign countries. However, the DPP authorities continue to use facilitation measures for personnel exchanges to pressure other countries, openly challenging the one-China principle, ultimately harming the immediate interests of Taiwan compatriots.

Taiwan compatriots are Chinese citizens, and we always place high importance on protecting their legitimate rights and interests overseas. If Taiwan compatriots need assistance, they can contact Chinese embassies or consulates abroad at any time or call the consular protection hotline 12308.