Taiwan travel registration rules draw industry backlash
SCMP · 1 SOURCESabout 3 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Taiwan’s opposition camp and travel industry have criticised new registration requirements for people travelling to mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau, arguing the rules burden agencies and deepen political tensions. The measures took effect on September 1 and require travellers to provide trip details including purpose, contact information, travel dates, passport numbers and mainland travel permit numbers. Travel agencies arranging inspection tours, exchanges and privately organised groups must file the information for clients or face fines. Taipei introduced the policy before new mainland entry and exit regulations due to take effect on September 15, saying the changes could raise risks for Taiwanese visitors
Key Points
- Since September 1, travellers to mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau have had to register trip purpose, contact details, travel dates, passport numbers and mainland permit numbers
- Agencies handling mainland-bound inspection visits, exchanges and privately organised groups must submit clients’ information or face fines of NT$10,000 to NT$50,000
- Opposition politicians accused the ruling Democratic Progressive Party of using the policy to stir cross-strait fears before local elections in Taiwan
- Taipei-based operator Lan Hsueh-hua said agencies now feel forced to work covertly and risk punishment, questioning whether authorities want them out of business
- Operator Chen Chien-chin said agencies could be squeezed between personal data protection duties and registration penalties, adding seven or eight independent travellers had cancelled trips
Why It Matters
For Hong Kong readers, the policy matters because Hong Kong is explicitly included in Taiwan’s new registration regime for outbound travel, placing the city inside a wider cross-strait administrative dispute. It also shows how regulatory changes on both sides of the Taiwan Strait can quickly affect tour operators, group travel arrangements and traveller confidence involving Hong Kong