The Interior Ministry said dozens of Taiwanese religious followers may have been detained in China during cross-strait exchanges, raising concerns about transparency and safety. 

Speaking on Wednesday, Interior Minister Liu Shyh-fang (劉世芳) said about 20 cases have been officially reported to the Interior Ministry and Mainland Affairs Council (MAC), but she estimated the actual number could be significantly higher, with a possible figure of 70 to 80 people across different religious groups. 
Liu said Taiwan supports religious exchanges across the Taiwan Strait but opposes detention without a clear justification. She emphasized, “We have repeatedly called for support of cross-strait exchanges on an equal footing, where religious beliefs can be shared and discussed, and where people can travel safely to China to engage with religious communities. However, we do not want individuals to be detained for other reasons, or for unclear reasons, when they go to China for religious exchanges. This is not a positive development for cross-strait interactions.”

The MAC stated on May 27 that 17 followers of Yiguandao, a Chinese salvationist religious sect meaning the Consistent Way, had been arrested or detained in China since January 2024.