TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — As the Lunar New Year holiday approaches, the Mainland Affairs Council on Monday said travel alerts for Hong Kong and Macau remain at the orange level, advising the public to avoid non-essential trips.
The council said the advisory reflects recent developments in Hong Kong and Macau, as well as changes in local regulations and law enforcement practices, per CNA. It urged travelers to remain aware of potential risks to personal safety and rights and to take precautions for themselves and their belongings.
It warned travelers that content on mobile phones or personal computers could be searched, confiscated, or even lead to criminal liability. Travelers are advised to back up data in Taiwan and delete sensitive content before departure.
The council also warned that rules on items permitted for entry and exit differ significantly from Taiwan’s regulations. Travelers heading to or transiting through Hong Kong and Macau should avoid carrying gas sprays, stun guns, expandable batons, brass knuckles, switchblades, or comb knives to prevent legal trouble and disruptions to their itineraries.
The travel alert for China, Hong Kong, and Macau was raised to orange on June 27, 2024, after the Chinese Communist Party announced its 22-point “Guidelines on Imposing Criminal Punishment on Diehard Taiwan Independence Separatists for Conducting or Inciting Secession.” The council said the guidelines posed a serious threat to the personal safety of Taiwanese traveling to those areas.
The council's travel alerts are divided into four color-coded levels. Gray advises caution, yellow recommends heightened awareness and reconsidering travel plans, orange urges avoiding non-essential travel, and red indicates travel is not advised.
