China will implement new exit-entry management regulations on September 15, prompting Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) to warn travelers of heightened risks and criticize Beijing’s vague, arbitrary controls.

Under the State Council’s regulations on exit and entry administration, published July 31, authorities may bar individuals involved in export control or technology security from leaving China. Applications now require interviews to verify true intent, replacing traditional form-filing. MAC Chairman Chiu Chui-cheng (邱垂正) said Wednesday that the move merely codifies existing strict controls, calling it an effort to project “rule of law” while retaining broad discretion. 

Chiu urged Taiwanese to conduct thorough risk assessments before traveling to China, noting citizens cannot predict when they might be barred from exit due to vague criteria. Taiwan maintains an orange travel alert for China, Hong Kong, and Macau, reflecting ongoing safety concerns. 

A Control Yuan report released July 29 found some civic groups actively recruit students for China-based united front activities, with inconsistent enforcement across ministries and limited impact from the Education Ministry’s student exchange registration platform. Chiu told legislators that the Chinese Communist’s Party’s united front work now targets middle and elementary school students, starting from childhood. He stressed support for normal, healthy student exchanges only if conducted on equal, dignified terms without united front interference. 

Chiu revealed several well-known groups are under investigation for alleged ties to Beijing’s united front apparatus, with some already dissolved. “I know there are several, quite famous groups; we will send the list to the committee,” he said. When asked if violations were found, he confirmed, “Yes, and they have been dissolved according to the law. For these groups that may have received instructions from the CCP to entrust funding, this is clearly a kind of united front exchange, which we do not welcome.”