Taiwan Maintains Travel Alert to China Amidst Rising Tensions
The MAC has decided to keep the travel alert to China at orange, citing China’s hostile actions against Taiwan. Travel registration will be optional and serves a safety purpose. The agency remains vigilant about potential threats from countries aligned with China and emphasizes parental consent in student exchanges. Public concern over child abuse cases is also highlighted, alongside the MAC’s stance on Taiwanese entertainers expressing pro-unification views.
The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) has confirmed that the travel alert to China will remain at an “orange” level despite President William Lai’s designation of China as a “hostile foreign force” under the Anti-infiltration Act. The Council’s Deputy Minister, Liang Wen-chieh, emphasized that the alert status reflects Beijing’s aggressive actions towards Taiwan, including the unjust detention of Taiwanese individuals. Consequently, no immediate need to escalate the alert to “red” has been identified.
Concerns have been raised by tourism operators regarding the potential requirement for travelers to register their trips to China. However, Liang clarified that this registration is purely a safety measure, intended to inform travelers how to seek assistance in emergencies, and participation will not be mandatory.
Additionally, considerations regarding travel alerts have been discussed for countries with close ties to China. Liang noted that while no extradition of Taiwanese individuals to China has been observed thus far, travelers are advised to remain vigilant about such possibilities in the future, particularly as China classifies secession as a criminal offense.
The MAC also addressed the Ministry of Education’s suggestion to limit cross-strait exchanges for primary and junior-high students, stating that while they oppose a blanket ban, they seek to ensure such activities are approved by parents and are free from political influence.
In a related note, a gathering outside the Taipei District Court highlighted public concern over child abuse cases, demanding harsher penalties for offenders. This follows a case involving two sisters indicted for the death of a young boy, causing public outcry for justice.
Meanwhile, in an incident in Vatican City, a Taiwanese tourist sustained injuries from falling masonry at St. Peter’s Basilica but was reported to be stable and continued her visit.
The MAC Minister, Chiu Chui-cheng, announced that Taiwanese entertainers who proclaim allegiance to China may face revocation of their Taiwanese citizenship if they possess Chinese IDs. This follows a controversy surrounding entertainers sharing pro-unification content online.
Lastly, the National Immigration Agency has indicated it will deport a Chinese national advocating for Taiwan’s forced unification with China unless she departs voluntarily by the designated deadline, underscoring Taiwan’s position against such rhetoric.
In summary, the MAC has decided to maintain the current travel alert for China at an orange level due to the perceived threat posed by Beijing. Safety measures, including traveler registration, are being implemented despite concerns from the tourism sector. The MAC is also vigilant regarding potential extradition scenarios involving Taiwan nationals and is committed to ensuring appropriate parental consent for cross-strait student exchanges. These points highlight Taiwan’s focus on national safety and democratic values amidst regional tensions.
Original Source: www.taipeitimes.com
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