Taipei has rolled out dedicated hotlines for travelers seeking guidance on safety risks while visiting China, Hong Kong, and Macau. This move follows China’s recent implementation of stringent criminal sentencing guidelines targeting individuals who support Taiwan’s independence.
The new emergency assistance services, announced by Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) on Monday, are designed to address safety concerns and provide crucial support for Taiwanese citizens traveling to these regions. The government has been increasingly vocal about the risks posed by Beijing’s aggressive stance on Taiwan, which it claims as part of its territory, and its ongoing efforts to suppress any advocacy for the island’s sovereignty.
This development comes after Taiwan raised its travel advisory to China to the second-highest “orange” level earlier this year, in response to China’s publication of judicial guidelines that include severe penalties for “diehard” advocates of Taiwan’s independence. Among the punishments is the death penalty for those deemed to be in particularly serious cases.
MAC also highlighted the growing concerns over China’s national security laws, which have led to numerous incidents of Taiwanese nationals being detained, interrogated, and arrested across mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau. These legal measures have escalated fears over personal safety for Taiwanese travelers.
The number of Taiwanese nationals registering their travel to China has surged this year, according to MAC data. From January to October, the number of people registering for mainland China travel increased by approximately 14 times compared to the previous year. Additionally, registrations for Hong Kong and Macau saw a fivefold increase.
Taiwan’s decision to launch these hotlines underscores the heightened awareness of the risks associated with travel to regions under Beijing’s influence, as tensions between Taiwan and China continue to escalate.
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