TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) said Thursday (June 6) that Taiwanese travelers going to China should be careful, after a citizen traveling with a tour group was briefly detained in China earlier this week.
MAC said that it is still seeking clarification on why the traveler was questioned by Chinese authorities. MAC Chair Chiu Chui-cheng (邱垂正) said that Taiwanese visiting China should remember to register on its online platform, reported CNA.
Some reports indicate the incident occurred in Nanjing, and that the tour group was visiting a book fair when the tourist was detained.
The unnamed traveler was seperated from their tour group and held for a few days before being released, possibly because they previously worked in an industry that China considers “sensitive.” They have already safely returned to Taiwan, per reports.
This case is the first time this year that a member of a Taiwanese tour group has been detained by police in China. Chiu said on Friday (June 7) that MAC is still investigating the details surrounding the incident.
MAC also advised tour groups and guides to immediately report any incidents involving tour members being questioned or detained by Chinese authorities.
The MAC notice comes one week ahead of the Straits Forum, which will be held in Xiamen on June 15. Several Taiwan government officials, including county magistrates from Yunlin and Kinmen have applied for the MAC’s approval to attend the event.
