Taipei, Feb. 27 (ANI) — Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) said the government’s ban on senior officials from China’s Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) entering Taiwan remains in force, citing a continued lack of goodwill from Beijing.
MAC Deputy Chairman Liang Wen-chieh defended the policy after questions arose about a Shanghai delegation that attended the Taipei Lantern Festival. The delegation was led by a lower-ranking TAO official rather than the director of the TAO’s Shanghai office; Liang said the entry application specified the lower rank and that no application had been submitted by the Shanghai office director or deputy director.
Observers have suggested China’s choice to send a junior official may be connected to large-scale military drills around Taiwan last year, which followed Taipei Mayor Chiang Wen-an’s participation in the Shanghai–Taipei Twin City Forum, where Chiang called for cross-strait peace and shared prosperity.
MAC imposed the entry ban in 2024 in response to a 22-point set of guidelines released by the Chinese Communist Party targeting so-called die-hard Taiwanese independence supporters, measures that were reported to include provisions permitting the death penalty. Liang said any change to the policy would require a clear demonstration of goodwill from Beijing.
He added that, beyond the guidelines, China has continued political and military pressure on Taiwan, so the council will maintain its stance. Liang emphasized that the MAC, President William Lai, and the Straits Exchange Foundation seek communication with China on an equal footing while protecting the Republic of China (Taiwan) and its democratic institutions. He also noted Beijing has accused some Taiwan government actions of pushing toward independence and has threatened penalties against Taiwanese politicians, prosecutors and officials; Liang urged restraint on both sides.
Separately, Liang addressed online speculation about a missing former member of the 101st Amphibious Reconnaissance Battalion, surnamed Chen, who reportedly transited through Hong Kong. After inquiries, the MAC said Chen is not in Hong Kong or Taiwan and there is no current evidence that he is in danger.
