China's New Entry-Exit Regulations Take Effect on September 15! 419 Taiwanese Detained or Missing in China, MAC Warns of High-Risk Groups

According to the latest statistics released by Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council (MAC), from January 2024 to August 21, 2026, the number of Taiwanese citizens traveling to mainland China who have gone missing, been detained for questioning, or had their personal freedom restricted has reached a cumulative total of 419, with an increase of 3 cases just this week.

Are travel risks to China rising? In light of China's implementation of new entry-exit regulations on September 15, the MAC has once again issued a warning, urging Taiwanese citizens planning to travel to mainland China, Hong Kong, or Macau to carefully assess related risks and pay close attention to their personal safety.

The latest data reveals that the number of individuals subjected to detention or restriction of personal freedom has reached 228, the highest among all categories. According to the MAC's latest通报 data, the cumulative number of Taiwanese citizens in mainland China who have faced restrictions on personal freedom or gone missing now stands at 419. The breakdown is as follows:

- Detained (restriction of personal freedom): 228 cases (1 new case this week) - Missing after traveling to China: 155 cases (1 case from previous records confirmed by Chinese authorities to have been arrested and prosecuted on suspicion of fraud) - Detained for questioning: 36 cases (2 new cases this week)

China's new entry-exit regulations will take effect on September 15. The MAC emphasizes that 'Taiwanese are treated as Chinese citizens' and reiterates that its warnings are not an overinterpretation.

China's 'Regulations on Exit and Entry Administration by the State Council' will officially take effect on September 15. As Beijing announces the implementation of new entry-exit rules starting September 15, concerns are growing over the safety risks for Taiwanese traveling to China. The MAC stresses that individuals planning to travel to mainland China and the Hong Kong and Macau regions must carefully assess personal safety risks before departure and stay informed of legal changes to protect their rights and safety.

Regarding concerns from various sectors about whether the government's repeated warnings constitute an 'overinterpretation,' the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) reiterated during its regular press conference on August 13 that the government has a responsibility to alert citizens to risks. It pointed out that in past cases where Taiwanese citizens were sentenced in mainland China, 'they treated Taiwanese as Chinese citizens.'

MAC Deputy Minister and Spokesperson Chen Ming-chi stated that the upcoming entry-exit management regulations are comprehensive and apply to both Chinese citizens and foreigners. Whether Taiwanese citizens fall under the definition of Chinese citizens is often subject to selective enforcement by Beijing authorities:

- Identity interpretation stance: For Beijing, the use of a Taiwan Compatriot Permit by a Taiwanese person signifies that 'Taiwanese are Chinese citizens.' - Risk of regulation application: When Beijing applies this identity interpretation, it can naturally use these entry-exit regulations to restrict Taiwanese citizens from leaving mainland China at any time.

The MAC emphasizes that the government must warn citizens of risks, as direct punishment without clarifying nationality is a real concern.

Chen Ming-chi emphasized that the government must provide clear risk warnings to citizens, as the situation where individuals are restricted from leaving China after traveling there is indeed possible.

He further explained that reviewing past cases of Taiwanese citizens being restricted or sentenced in mainland China, Chinese law enforcement does not clarify whether the individuals hold citizenship of the People's Republic of China but directly 'treats Taiwanese as Chinese citizens.' Therefore, the government's reminder to citizens to pay attention to personal entry-exit and safety risks is entirely based on its responsibility to protect citizens and is by no means an overinterpretation.

The MAC highlights that the 'technology and semiconductor industries' face particularly high risks: individuals may unknowingly violate laws and face exit restrictions.

During the regular press conference on August 6, Chen Ming-chi cited specific provisions of the new regulations, which clearly state: 'If Chinese citizens violate export control, technology import-export management, or other regulations that may endanger national industrial or technological security, relevant authorities such as the State Council and the Ministry of Commerce may decide to prohibit their departure from the country.'

Regarding the scope and impact of the new regulations, Chen Ming-chi assessed that such provisions will directly affect Taiwanese businesspeople, executives, and technical personnel working or investing in the technology and semiconductor sectors in mainland China.

Q1: Why will China's new entry-exit regulations, effective September 15, have the greatest impact on the technology and semiconductor industries? A1: Because the new regulations explicitly prohibit departure for those who 'violate export control or technology import-export management and may endanger national industrial or technological security.' Personnel in the technology and semiconductor sectors are highly likely to be deemed by Chinese authorities as violating relevant regulations when handling technology transfer or product exports.

Q2: How should Taiwanese tech executives or businesspeople traveling to mainland China respond to these new regulations? A2: The MAC urges relevant industry personnel and companies to properly assess job responsibilities and personal safety risks before traveling to or being stationed in mainland China, avoiding unintentionally triggering technology control violations.

Q3: What impact will China's new entry-exit regulations, effective September 15, have on Taiwanese citizens? A3: The MAC points out that since Beijing's position is that holding a Taiwan Compatriot Permit means 'Taiwanese are Chinese citizens,' it may selectively apply these entry-exit regulations to restrict Taiwanese citizens from leaving mainland China.