TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) on Thursday (June 27) upgraded its travel advisory for China, Hong Kong, and Macau after Beijing imposed punishments for “Taiwan independence die-hards.”
On June 21, China issued “22 Opinions" on punishing Taiwan independence activists allowing for trial in absentia, with the maximum penalty being the death sentence. The MAC raised the travel advisory for China from yellow to orange, advising citizens to carefully assess the risks before traveling.
Under the MAC's four-tiered travel advisory system, grey suggests exercising caution, yellow advises reconsidering travel, orange recommends avoiding non-essential travel, and red warns against all travel to a destination.
The ministry advises citizens to gather information, assess their risks, and pay attention to travel safety measures before traveling to China. If travel is necessary, it is recommended to avoid touching on or discussing sensitive topics and issues, taking photos of ports, airports, military exercise sites, or carrying books on politics, history, and religion.
Relevant information can be found on the council’s website, including behaviors that may violate China's national security laws, behaviors that may violate Hong Kong's national security laws, suggestions for Taiwanese needing to travel to China, and reminders for Taiwanese traveling to or transiting through Hong Kong or Macau.
Both travel agencies and tourists can reassess their travel plans. If travelers decide to cancel their trips, they can handle it according to the principles of standard travel contracts and any disputes can be mediated through the Travel Quality Assurance Association.
Transportation Minister Li Meng-yen (李孟諺) has requested the Tourism Administration to monitor tour groups traveling to China, Hong Kong, and Macau and to maintain communication with travel industry operators to ensure the protection of travelers' rights, per CNA. The Tourism Administration is urged to promote risk assessment and travel safety measures to citizens before departure.
The MAC also advises citizens to check its website before traveling to China. Before departure, they should register their personal details and contact information in the "Dynamic registration system for Taiwanese Citizens traveling to China, Hong Kong and Macau," to enable the government to provide timely assistance.
If Taiwanese citizens encounter issues in China, they can call the emergency service hotline of the Straits Exchange Foundation at 886-2-25339995; the emergency assistance phone of the council’s Hong Kong office, Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) at 852-61439012; or the emergency assistance phone of the council’s Macau TECO office at 853-66872557.
