Concerning Taiwanese individuals setting up booths at an art book exhibition in Nanjing, China and being taken away by the Chinese public security, and even being asked to strip naked for inspection before being released after interrogation, Premier Zhuo Rongtai pointed out the need for immediate investigation by the Mainland Affairs Council, as well as a reminder to the public to be cautious about personal safety when traveling to China.
Premier Zhuo Rongtai of the Republic of China’s Executive Yuan visited the Legislative Yuan today (7th) to deliver a policy report and answer questions. Prior to the meeting, Zhuo Rongtai conducted a media interview, expressing concerns over Taiwanese individuals participating in the art book exhibition in Nanjing, who were apprehended by Chinese public security, forced to strip naked for inspection and interrogation before being released. Zhuo Rongtai stated that upon receiving the news, he immediately instructed the Mainland Affairs Council to understand the entire situation. Although the individuals have returned to Taiwan, it is crucial to fully comprehend the sequence of events and provide an explanation to the public.
Zhuo Rongtai emphasized the necessity to remind the public that personal safety should be a priority when Taiwanese citizens travel to China, as the Chinese legal system is vague and legal procedures are incomplete. This incident further reinforces his previous statement that travel groups planning to visit China before June 1st can proceed, with a focus on the smooth execution of the trip and the quality of the overall travel experience being safeguarded, crucial considerations for future decision-making.
The Tourism Bureau of the Republic of China’s Ministry of Transportation announced on February 7th a ban on group tours to China, scheduled to be suspended after June. Zhuo Rongtai previously mentioned that travel groups planned before June 1st can continue. As for the lifting of the ban, Zhuo Rongtai indicated that future summer vacation travel activities will undergo timely rolling reviews if they proceed smoothly and are well-received by the public.
The Mainland Affairs Council of the Republic of China held a routine press conference on the 6th. Deputy Minister and spokesperson Liang Wenjie of the Mainland Affairs Council mentioned an increase in cases of Taiwanese travelers being detained for investigation. He cited an example of a Taiwanese travel group on a 5-day, 4-night trip to the mainland, where one member was detained by the Chinese authorities midway and not released until several days after the other group members had returned to Taiwan. This was the first incident of a member of a travel group to China being detained, and the Mainland Affairs Council is currently investigating the matter.
Chiu Chui-cheng stated that they had preliminary information about one group member being detained but had since returned to Taiwan. The Mainland Affairs Council has been using various platforms, including Facebook, to urge Taiwanese nationals to prioritize personal safety when traveling to China, conduct careful assessments, and if traveling to China is necessary, they must register through the Mainland Affairs Council’s system for updates on Taiwanese nationals traveling to China, Hong Kong, and Macau to ensure their safety.
Furthermore, with regards to the “Straits Forum” organized by the Chinese Communist Party scheduled for June 15th, the Mainland Affairs Council issued a press release stating that the “Straits Forum” is a large-scale cross-strait exchange event hosted by the Chinese Communist Party, traditionally promoting its stance of “anti-independence, promoting integration, and promoting unification” and using the event for ideological and political influence. The Mainland Affairs Council called on all sectors in Taiwan to be vigilant against the political operations of the Chinese Communist Party, considering public sentiment, and jointly safeguarding the core values of national sovereignty and freedom and democracy.