Taiwan begins requiring civil servants to report travel to Hong Kong, Macau

Taipei, Sept. 12 (CNA) Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) said on Thursday that its revised guidelines requiring public servants to notify authorities before traveling to Hong Kong or Macau have taken effect, with penalties to be enforced starting July 1 next year for those who fail to comply.

"The key revision requires government personnel to notify their agencies before any travel to Hong Kong or Macau, whether on a weekday or a holiday, and regardless of purpose," MAC deputy head and spokesperson Liang Wen-chieh (梁文傑) said at a regular news briefing in Taipei.

Those traveling to the two special administrative regions of China must also register the trip in the human resources attendance system, he added.

The announcement followed the Cabinet's approval of the amendments to the "Guidelines for Personnel of the Executive Yuan and Its Subordinate Agencies Traveling to Hong Kong or Macau" on Wednesday, according to Liang.

In a news release, MAC said there were previously no clear notification requirements for government personnel traveling to Hong Kong or Macau for tourism, family visits, or other purposes.

Given China's tightening political control over Hong Kong and Macau and its escalating united-front efforts targeting Taiwan, the potential risks for Taiwanese government personnel traveling to the two cities have increased, the council said.

"The government has a responsibility to strengthen risk advisories and controls," MAC said, adding that the revised guidelines can "safeguard official secrets and personnel safety."

Government personnel must also report in advance to their agencies and MAC if they plan to meet or contact "designated individuals," defined as those holding official posts or civil servant status in the two cities.

The category also covers "suspicious persons," Liang said, but he did not explain how that is defined. Liang, however, noted that Hong Kong and Macau have long been hubs for intelligence activity and Chinese state security operations.

"We cannot list every possible identity these individuals [referring to 'suspicious persons'] may use," Liang said, only giving examples, including a company chairperson and the head of a foundation, as possible covers they may use.

"Our civil servants should stay alert, and when they encounter such people, we expect them to report (to their supervisors) proactively," he added.

Transit through Hong Kong or Macau airports also requires advance reporting, with case-by-case reviews on whether to impose penalties when an unforeseen emergency makes prior notification impossible, according to Liang.

While the revised guidelines took effect on Wednesday, a grace period will run through June 30, 2026, during which no penalties will be imposed on those who fail to comply, Liang said.

The Directorate-General of Personnel Administration will draft penalty guidelines for agencies to follow, and formal enforcement will begin on July 1, 2026, he added.