Taiwan’s National Security Council adviser Alex Huang told local newspaper Liberty Times that government agencies including the Mainland Affairs Council and Ministry of Economic Affairs are drafting guidelines aimed at helping Taiwanese travelers reduce the risks of visiting China.
The warning comes as China prepares to implement revised entry and exit regulations this week. The changes have also prompted international concern, with the US recently updating its own travel advisory for China.
Beijing is expected to begin random inspections of personal communication devices from next month. For Taiwanese travelers, the prospect raises concerns that business information, intellectual property or even historical social media posts could attract official scrutiny.
Huang identified three groups that should exercise particular caution.
Civil servants are the first. Officials at central and local levels, including those working in security-related positions, could be targeted for intelligence gathering, he said. Police officers have reportedly been questioned about critical infrastructure protection, while judicial personnel have been asked about internal operations.
Even seemingly routine local officials could face questions about air-raid shelters, emergency supplies and distribution networks.
Religious workers are another concern. Huang said religious activities in China, including missionary work, baptisms and ordinations, are subject to official oversight. Religious gatherings and study sessions can also attract security scrutiny.
He cited reports of members of the I-Kuan Tao religious group being detained after traveling to China as tourists.
Professionals in sensitive industries face a third risk. Workers in semiconductors, quantum science, advanced materials and defense could be particularly vulnerable, along with employees of foreign companies and businesses linked to entities sanctioned by Beijing.
The concern extends beyond individuals. Taiwanese and other foreign companies are increasingly examining the potential exposure of intellectual property, personnel and corporate information when employees travel to China.
Huang said the latest measures form part of a broader tightening of Chinese controls designed to protect technology and talent while extending Beijing’s reach beyond its borders.
For travel companies, the issue adds another layer of complexity to China trips, particularly for corporate travel and professionals whose devices contain sensitive information.
Taiwan’s forthcoming guidance fully reflects a more complicated reality with growing monitoring exerted by China on travelers.
Tags: Alex Huang Taiwan’s National Security Council China PRC Taiwan
