Taipei: The Cabinet on Friday approved amendments aimed at expanding the categories of individuals required to obtain government approval before traveling to China, now including lawmakers and all civil servants. These proposed changes await approval by the opposition-controlled Legislature before becoming law.
According to Focus Taiwan, the amendments come in response to a recent visit to Xiamen by seven lawmakers from the Kuomintang (KMT) party, which, although classified as a commercial event, reportedly addressed political topics such as developing a "blueprint for fusion between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait" and "safeguarding national unity and territorial integrity."
Currently, under the Act Governing Relations Between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area, only certain officials, such as political appointees, mayors of Taiwan's six largest cities, and those with access to classified information, need to undergo a review before traveling to China. The proposed revisions would extend this requirement to national legislators, mayors, county commissioners, lower-level political appointees, and police officers, necessitating a joint review by the Ministry of the Interior (MOI) and the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC).
The legislative dynamics surrounding the amendments will be noteworthy, as the provisions primarily target legislators who must approve them. KMT caucus secretary-general Lo Chih-chiang criticized the revisions as a cover for President Lai Ching-te's alleged inadequacies in handling cross-Taiwan Strait relations. Additionally, Taiwan People's Party lawmaker Chang Chi-kai suggested that the administration should promote more cross-strait exchanges instead of escalating tensions through new legislation.
The amendments also require elected officials visiting China to report interactions with Chinese government, Communist Party, or military entities, detailing the time, location, and meeting records. Violations could result in fines ranging from NT$20,000 to NT$100,000.
MAC chief Chiu Chui-cheng stated that the reporting obligation would apply to all elected officials, including ward and village chiefs. However, he did not specify how the MAC would verify the accuracy of officials' reports, mentioning only that the MOI would develop additional measures.
Furthermore, the draft amendment seeks to prevent certain officials and military officers from attending events organized by Chinese entities that undermine Taiwan's sovereignty. If enacted, this measure would prohibit former presidents, National Security Council advisers, heads of foreign diplomatic missions, and certain military officers from participating in such events, with violators facing a five-year pension suspension. Severe offenses could lead to a complete pension revocation, with fines between NT$2 million and NT$10 million imposed on those without pensions.