In recent years, the Chinese Communist Party has been increasing its infiltration and united front tactics towards Taiwan. In response to this, Chairman of the Mainland Affairs Council of the Republic of China, Chiu Chui-cheng, emphasized the necessity to comprehensively review and adjust the current residency and settlement system for Hong Kong and Macau residents coming to Taiwan, in order to safeguard the cherished way of life grounded in freedom, democracy, human rights, and the rule of law that we all hold dear in our shared homeland.
The Mainland Affairs Council of the Republic of China issued a press release stating that to assist Hong Kong residents in Taiwan in resolving residency and settlement issues and to provide practical tax information, the Mainland Affairs Council and the Taiwan-Hong Kong Economic and Cultural Cooperation Promotion Association held the “2025 Hong Kong-Taiwan Living Seminar” on the 23rd at the True Taste Tea Restaurant in Tamsui.
Chairman Chiu Chui-cheng of the Mainland Affairs Council of the Republic of China attended the seminar to listen to the opinions of Hong Kong residents, address their concerns, and explain the policy intentions behind the residency and settlement system for Hong Kong and Macau residents coming to Taiwan. Expressing care and greetings to the Hong Kong friends present, he emphasized that the government values every new resident coming to Taiwan and assured that as long as Hong Kong and Macau friends genuinely wish to stay in Taiwan, the government and the association will assist them in realizing their aspirations and working together in Taiwan.
From 2019 to March of this year, over 5600 Hong Kong and Macau friends have been granted residency in Taiwan, with over 16,000 approved for settlement under certain conditions (excluding those for study or work residency), achieving an approval rate exceeding 75%, a result of collective efforts.
Regarding the newly established residency and settlement system that Hong Kong and Macau residents in Taiwan are concerned about, Chairman Chiu Chui-cheng explained that due to the rapid changes in cross-strait relations, as well as the increasing control exerted by the Chinese Communist Party over Hong Kong and Macau, and demographic shifts resulting from mainland Chinese relocating to Hong Kong, it is necessary for the government to comprehensively review and adjust the current residency and settlement system for Hong Kong and Macau residents coming to Taiwan in order to safeguard the cherished way of life grounded in freedom, democracy, human rights, and the rule of law in our shared homeland.
The new residency and settlement system will introduce the provision of “long-term residency” to moderately extend the observation period while ensuring a fair balance of residency conditions for various individuals, providing an additional level of security to Taiwanese society.
During the long-term residency period, Hong Kong and Macau friends can apply for individual work permits to work in Taiwan and travel in and out freely. Furthermore, for those Hong Kong and Macau friends who do not wish to apply for settlement, they will have another choice. When the new residency and settlement system is implemented, there will be a reasonable transition period based on the protection of legitimate interests. Hong Kong and Macau friends who are already residing in Taiwan or have applied for settlement can rest assured and live in peace in Taiwan.
The Mainland Affairs Council of the Republic of China stated that the seminar invited tax expert accountant Yang Huimin to provide detailed information on tax regulations and practices that Hong Kong people are concerned about, and also arranged for representatives from the Mainland Affairs Council, the Ministry of the Interior’s Immigration Department, the Ministry of Labor’s Department of Labor Development, and the Ministry of Economic Affairs’ Investment Review Board to address the questions of Hong Kong residents present and provide specific recommendations.
The seminar was attended by nearly 30 Hong Kong residents, who actively participated in asking questions and engaging in lively interactions. Lu Changshui, Director of the Mainland Affairs Council’s Hong Kong and Macau Division and Secretary-General of the Promotion Association, Honorary President of various university Hong Kong alumni associations Tsui Ma, and President of the Association of Friends of China, Hong Kong, and Macau, Zhang Shixian, also attended the seminar.