MAC Press Release No. 038
In accordance with the policy of gradually restoring healthy and orderly post-pandemic cross-Strait exchanges and to meet the travel and business needs of people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC), in conjunction with the Ministry of Transportation and Communication (MOTC) and the Ministry of Economic Affairs, today (August 24, 2023) unveiled plans to resume cross-Strait tourism and relax restrictions on visits by mainland Chinese citizens to Taiwan for business exchanges. The details of these plans are as follows:
1. Resuming visits by mainland Chinese citizens from third places
From September 1, mainland Chinese citizens residing or studying in third places (as defined in Subparagraphs 3 and 4, Paragraph 1, Article 3 of the Regulations Governing Permits for People from Mainland China to Enter Taiwan for Tourism Activities) can apply for permits to visit Taiwan for tourism activities.
2. Plans to resume cross-Strait group tourism
(1) Quotas:
A. Mainland Chinese group visits to Taiwan: An initial daily limit of 2,000 people shall be set beyond those applying to travel to Kinmen and Matsu under the Regulations Governing the Trial Operation of Transportation Links Between Kinmen/Matsu/Penghu and the Mainland Area.
B. Taiwanese tour group visits to mainland China: The quota for travel to mainland China shall be duly adjusted based on the principle of reciprocity (capped at 2,000 people per day in the initial stages).
(2) Implementation:
Cross-Strait group travel will be phased in. There will be a one-month preparation period beginning from the announcement date. The implementation date shall be determined later based on mainland China's response.
(3) Related Preparations:
A. Taiwanese group visits to mainland China:
a. The Tourism Bureau of the MOTC will coordinate with travel industry associations to help establish mechanisms for regulating the number of Taiwanese citizens traveling to mainland China.
b. In conjunction with the Tourism Bureau of the MOTC, the MAC will strengthen work on enhancing travel safety, protecting personal freedom, and managing safety risks. If significant threats to the safety of Taiwanese nationals occur, the government will take necessary measures, including suspending group travel to mainland China, to ensure safety of the people.
B. Mainland Chinese group travel to Taiwan:
a. In conjunction with relevant agencies and on the existing foundation, the MAC will review safety management measures, including permit application and issuance, CIQS supporting measures (customs, immigration, quarantine, and security), reporting mechanisms, and handling of alarming incidents, to ensure that mainland Chinese visitors comply with relevant laws and regulations when traveling in Taiwan.
b. The Tourism Bureau of the MOTC will strengthen management for the travel market and travel safety, establish a system for emergency notification and coordinated responses, update and review travel agency lists and related qualifications, improve the quality management and reporting mechanisms for mainland Chinese tourist groups, and arrange for training and policy explanation sessions for tourism operators and related personnel to ensure the sound functioning of the tourism market.
3. Relaxing restrictions on visits by mainland Chinese citizens to Taiwan for business exchanges
(1) Relaxed restrictions:
From August 28, mainland Chinese citizens will be able to apply to enter Taiwan for short-term business exchanges, including participating in business shows, attending exhibitions, and participating in business training programs. However, a case-by-case review process remain in place for inviting units and mainland Chinese applicants in specific high-tech industries, including the following: Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) of the Republic of China sectors: Manufacture of Integrated Circuits (SIC Code 2611), Manufacture of Discrete Devices (2612), Packaging and Testing of Semiconductors (2613), Manufacture of Liquid Crystal Panels and Components (2641), Manufacture of Light Emitting Diodes (2642), Manufacture of Other Communication Equipment (2729), and Manufacture of Electronic and Semiconductors Production Equipment (2928).
(2) Strengthened Management:
Additional restrictions will be added to the existing management framework, including eligibility conditions, invitation quotas, and duration of stay in Taiwan.
A. Exhibition Participation: The inviting or invited parties must be exhibitors. Depending on the total number of booths leased by an exhibitor, two people are allowed for each standard booth (nine-square-meter), with one additional person allowed for each additional booth, up to a maximum of 10 people in principle. The period of stay is limited to two days before to two days after the exhibition.
B. Exhibition Attendance: Inviting exhibitors must be companies that are approved and registered in Taiwan; invited parties must be the partners, potential partners, or potential buyers of the said exhibitors. Each Taiwanese exhibitor can invite up to 10 people, with a maximum of two people from each invited company. The period of stay is limited to one day before to one day after the exhibition.
C. Business Training Programs: The number of invitees is limited by the annual revenue of the inviting unit, up to a maximum of 100 people in principle (companies with annual revenues under NT$10 million can invite up to 10 people, companies with revenues between NT$10 million and NT$50 million can invite up to 25 people, companies with revenues between NT$50 million to NT$100 million can invite up to 50 people, and companies with revenues exceeding NT$100 million can invite up to 100 people).
The MAC stated that restoring cross-Strait people-to-people exchanges and interactions to pre-pandemic conditions requires the mutual cooperation and creation of conditions by both sides of the Taiwan Strait. The government will continue to relax restrictions on entry by mainland Chinese citizens based on the latest developments, and hopes that mainland China will reciprocate to facilitate the promotion and implementation of related plans.