Will Holding a Taiwan Compatriot Permit Lead to Cancellation of Taiwan Household Registration? MAC Reveals 4 Types of Documents That Cross the Red Line, 5 Groups at Risk of Not Returning from China

A Taiwanese surnamed Ying, living in China, livestreamed himself cutting up his Republic of China passport. The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) confirmed that his Taiwan household registration and ROC passport have been legally revoked. This incident has raised concerns among many about their documents. The MAC and the Ministry of the Interior have drawn a clear line: holding a Chinese ID card, a residence permit (dingju zheng), a Chinese passport, or a border travel passport will result in loss of Taiwan status. However, the most common documents—the Taiwan Compatriot Permit, residence permit (juzhu zheng), bank card, and transportation card—are not illegal to hold and will not lead to household registration cancellation.

China's State Council Regulations on Exit and Entry Administration took effect on September 15, with 19 articles and seven key control points. Border inspection can request access to mobile phone and computer data, and violators face a ban on exiting China for up to three years. MAC Minister Chiu Chui-cheng identified five high-risk groups: Taiwanese businesspeople and expatriates, semiconductor and other tech personnel, political commentators, religious missionaries, and public officials. The legal basis includes the Preamble to the Chinese Constitution, the National Security Law, the Anti-Secession Law, and the Measures for the Administration of Chinese Citizens' Travel to the Taiwan Region.

A Taiwanese youth was detained for six hours upon arrival in Shanghai, where his phone photos and communication apps were thoroughly inspected, because he had previously worked for Amnesty International. The Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) recommends completing dynamic registration before traveling to China and not carrying unnecessary electronic files.

Opinions differ on whether the Taiwan Compatriot Permit constitutes Chinese citizenship. MAC Deputy Minister Liang Wen-chieh stated that China treats Taiwanese with such permits as Chinese citizens. Dr. Gui Hongcheng, a Peking University law PhD, argues the permit is merely a travel document and does not automatically confer citizenship. Guo Tai Ban spokesperson Zhu Fenglian stated that Taiwanese compatriots are Chinese citizens and need not worry about risks when visiting the mainland.

Not the Taiwan Compatriot Permit! Frequent travelers to China beware: holding these four documents will directly cancel your Taiwan status, and there is no turning back. The incident involving Mr. Ying, who destroyed his ROC passport and displayed his Chinese documents, has prompted many to check their wallets. The MAC and Ministry of Interior have clarified that the Taiwan Compatriot Permit is a travel document and its mere possession is not illegal. Residence permits, bank cards, and transportation cards are also not subject to cancellation. The real red lines are four other documents, one of which has a validity of only three months and looks like a short-term travel pass, yet still leads to loss of Taiwan legal status. What are these four red-line documents, and why is the residence permit (dingju zheng) included? Click for the full report.

Taiwanese traveler in trouble in China! Detained for six hours upon entry, forced to unlock phone. Guo Tai Ban confirms: review due to 'this job'. A Taiwanese youth on a business trip to Shanghai was stopped by border inspection at the airport, taken to a private room, and interrogated by three plainclothes officers for six hours. He was forced to unlock his phone, and his emails, photos, and work files on LINE and WhatsApp were scrutinized. The entire interrogation revolved around his brief past work experience. Guo Tai Ban spokesperson Zhang Han responded at a regular press conference, stating that the organization involved is an anti-China force and the border inspection was completely legal. He cited the 2.85 million Taiwanese visits to the mainland in the first half of the year as evidence. The MAC urged high-risk individuals to carefully assess the necessity of travel to China. Click for the full report.

Does holding a Taiwan Compatriot Permit make you 'Chinese'? Is Taiwan household registration at risk? Scholars explain: a mere travel document does not equal citizenship. The question of whether holding a Taiwan Compatriot Permit makes one a Chinese citizen has been debated since China announced its new regulations. MAC Deputy Minister Liang Wen-chieh stated that China treats Taiwanese with such permits as Chinese citizens and can use this interpretation to restrict entry and exit. Dr. Gui Hongcheng, Chairman of the Democracy Culture and Education Foundation, holds a different view, arguing that the permit is only a travel document and does not automatically confer citizenship unless one actively applies for it. He also pointed out inconsistencies in Liang's argument based on the Cross-Strait Act and household registration system. Click for the full report.

China's new exit-entry regulations take effect tomorrow, September 15! Is it dangerous to go to the mainland now? SEF reveals: 'this one thing' you must not bring. SEF Deputy Secretary-General Li Baowen stated at a forum: 'Exchange can continue, but risks cannot be ignored; travel can be convenient, but safety cannot be compromised.' He outlined four major risks for Taiwanese travelers, with the most concerning being the lowered threshold for authorities to access personal electronic data. Law enforcement can review communication records, files, and media on phones and computers through administrative procedures. The key risk factor is not who you are, but what you carry. The SEF recommends three preparations before travel, including a registration procedure many overlook. Click for the full report.

Infographic: Latest '5 types' of people who may not return from China! Is the Taiwan Compatriot Permit equivalent to Chinese citizenship? Chiu Chui-cheng: CCP's four major laws assert this. MAC Minister Chiu Chui-cheng released the latest high-risk list on September 22, narrowing it to five categories: Taiwanese businesspeople and expatriates in China, tech personnel with key technologies (e.g., semiconductors), political commentators and media scholars, religious missionaries, and public officials. He also pointed out the four legal bases China uses to classify Taiwanese residents as 'Chinese citizens,' from the Preamble to the Constitution to the Measures for the Administration of Chinese Citizens' Travel to the Taiwan Region, stating it is difficult to exclude Taiwanese from this classification under Chinese law. Chiu interpreted the new regulations as Beijing's attempt to prevent the outflow of its own high-tech talent, targeting areas like rare earth refining, AI, and advanced semiconductors. Click for the full report.

Be careful when traveling abroad! China's new exit-entry regulations take effect on September 15: a look at seven new systems affecting tourists and Taiwanese businesspeople. The new regulations, with 19 articles, not only codify existing border control measures but also expand the scope of exit-entry restrictions and enforcement powers. Seven core mechanisms include establishing an overseas risk warning system, advising against exit from high-risk areas, strict review of application data and electronic data, a ban on exit for up to three years for violators, a ban on entry for up to five years for foreigners, and registration and high fines for travel agencies. The most concerning aspect is the use of flexible terms like 'may cause harm' and 'when necessary,' giving authorities broad discretion. In certain cases, the reason for denying exit may not be disclosed. Click for the full report.

Will the new Chinese regulations prevent Taiwanese from returning home? Guo Tai Ban responds: Taiwanese compatriots are Chinese citizens, no need to worry about risks when visiting the mainland. In response to MAC warnings, Beijing offers a completely opposite view. Guo Tai Ban spokesperson Zhu Fenglian stated that Taiwanese need not worry about risks when visiting the mainland, and the regulations are mainly to strengthen exit security risk prevention and regulate intermediary services, benefiting the legitimate rights of cross-strait travelers. She criticized the MAC as an obstacle to cross-strait exchanges and cited the 2.85 million Taiwanese visits to the mainland in the first half of the year, a 24.9% increase year-on-year. Regarding another incident where a Taiwanese was asked to switch to a Chinese passport in Uganda, Zhu reiterated that Taiwanese compatriots are Chinese citizens and emphasized protecting their legitimate rights overseas, providing specific contact channels. Click for the full report.