Taiwan is requiring Chinese tourists applying for online entry to submit a handwritten pledge respecting the island’s sovereignty, triggering sharp opposition from Beijing and a political debate in Taipei, KBS News reported on November 12.
The controversy emerged when an overseas Chinese social media user shared screenshots of an online entry application for Taiwan tourism. The National Immigration Agency demanded document revisions after noticing a hotel reservation confirmation used the term “China Taiwan.”
The agency required the applicant to submit a revised reservation confirmation removing the diminishing terminology. Alongside that correction, applicants must handwrite, sign, and date a pledge stating that “Taiwan is a sovereign and independent state and Taiwan and China are not subordinate to each other,” according to reporting by the Hong Kong South China Morning Post and the United Daily News of Taiwan.
Taiwanese authorities defended the procedure as a lawful screening measure. The National Immigration Agency said that actions or remarks damaging Taiwan’s dignity can result in entry denials, and affirmed that the document requests follow existing regulations.
“While we welcome tourists from all over the world to visit Taiwan, they must comply with Taiwan’s laws and regulations,” said Lin Hung-en, director-general of Taiwan’s National Immigration Agency, adding that authorities would improve phrasing during the screening process to prevent unnecessary misunderstandings.
Political reactions in Taiwan split along party lines. The ruling Democratic Progressive Party expressed wariness over travel documents being exploited for Chinese propaganda efforts, while the opposition party, the Kuomintang, criticized the requirement for tourists to declare political stances as inappropriate.
The Chinese government issued strong objections to the entry requirements. Zhang Han, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of China’s State Council, reaffirmed Beijing’s position that both Taiwan and China belong to one China and that Taiwan is part of China.
“The DPP authorities persist in their separatist stance of Taiwan independence while setting up obstacles for cross-strait tourism and exchanges in various fields,” Zhang said, criticizing the measure as a political manipulation with ulterior motives.
| Actor | Stance on Pledge Requirement | Official Position |
|---|---|---|
| Taiwan National Immigration Agency | Defended as lawful screening | Enforces compliance with Taiwan laws and protects national dignity |
| Taiwan Democratic Progressive Party | Cautious support | Guards against potential misuse for Chinese propaganda |
| Taiwan Kuomintang | Critical | Deems forcing political stances on tourists inappropriate |
| China Taiwan Affairs Office | Strong opposition | Denounces the measure as a political manipulation obstructing cross-strait exchanges |
