TAIPEI (TVBS News) — National Security Bureau Director-General Tsai Ming-yen (蔡明彥) reported Monday (July 8) that Chinese authorities have detained or interrogated 66 Taiwanese citizens in the past year. Tsai disclosed these figures during a session of the Legislative Yuan's Foreign and National Defense Committee (外交國防委員會).
Democratic Progressive Party (DPP, 民進黨) Legislator Chen Kuan-ting (陳冠廷) raised concerns about the safety of Taiwanese traveling to China following the implementation of China's 2023 Counter-Espionage Law (反間諜法) and the Law on Guarding State Secrets (保守國家秘密法). Tsai emphasized the heightened risks, warning Taiwanese people to exercise caution when traveling or conducting business in China.
Tsai confirmed the bureau's support for the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC, 陸委會) in raising the travel advisory to "orange." He noted that the international community has also heightened travel alerts, reflecting widespread concern.
DPP Legislator Wang Ting-yu (王定宇) questioned whether specific groups of Taiwanese face higher scrutiny. Tsai responded that individuals with backgrounds in government, especially in national security or military intelligence, those involved in civic activities critical of China, or those working in sensitive technology sectors are deemed high-risk by Chinese authorities.
The National Security Bureau urged Taiwanese citizens to heed these warnings and stay informed about travel advisories. The situation underscores the ongoing challenges in cross-strait relations and highlights the importance of vigilance for those traveling to China.