Taiwan has sparked a cross-strait dispute after it emerged that authorities asked Chinese tourists to handwrite a pledge recognizing Taiwan as an independent country. Beijing protested that the move is a political measure that disrupts tourism exchanges, while a debate has also erupted in Taiwan over whether it is appropriate to demand a political statement during the entry screening process.
On the 12th, the South China Morning Post (SCMP) in Hong Kong and Taiwan’s United Daily News reported that a Chinese citizen living overseas recently posted on social media that he was asked to make a political pledge during the online application for entry to Taiwan for tourism.
The online application screen from Taiwan’s National Immigration Agency that he shared included a request to supplement documents because his hotel booking confirmation used the term “China Taiwan.” The agency told him to resubmit a booking confirmation with wording that does not downgrade Taiwan’s status.
It also required him to handwrite language to the effect that “Taiwan is a sovereign, independent country and Taiwan and China are not subordinate to each other,” then sign and date it.
Taiwanese authorities say the screening is lawful and based on relevant regulations. They said entry can be denied if speech or behavior that undermines Taiwan’s dignity is confirmed, and that the request to supplement documents was also in line with the rules.
They added that the applicant’s itinerary appeared inconsistent with tourism purposes, so the officer likely sought additional explanation, and said entry screening is determined case by case.
Lin Hung-en, director-general of Taiwan’s National Immigration Agency, said, “We welcome tourists from around the world to visit Taiwan, but they must comply with Taiwan’s laws and regulations,” adding, “We will improve the wording used during screening to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings.”
Taiwan’s political parties split over the issue. The ruling Democratic Progressive Party warned against travel documents that could be used for Chinese propaganda, while the main opposition Kuomintang argued it is inappropriate to ask tourists to state political views.
The Chinese government criticized Taiwan’s move as politically motivated. Zhang Han, Spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the China State Council, reaffirmed the long-standing position the previous day that “Taiwan and China both belong to one China, and Taiwan is part of China.” He added, “The DPP authorities insist on the separatist stance of Taiwan independence and are creating obstacles to cross-strait tourism and exchanges in various fields,” calling it “political manipulation with malicious intent.”
