Over 70 Stranded Taiwanese Compatriots in the Middle East Arrive Safely in Shanghai; Will Transfer Back to Taiwan on the 10th

 (Shanghai, March 10) — At around 4 a.m. on March 10, flight MU704, carrying more than 70 Taiwanese compatriots, arrived at Shanghai Pudong International Airport. Since the recent escalation of the situation in the Middle East, this is the largest group of Taiwanese returning to Taiwan via mainland transit.

 Due to the regional situation, many countries have closed their airspace and airports have ceased operations. This group of Taiwanese, who were previously traveling in Turkey, originally planned to transfer in Abu Dhabi to return to Taiwan, but were stranded overseas due to flight cancellations. Through the coordination of relevant mainland authorities, they switched to a China Eastern Airlines flight from Istanbul to Shanghai for transit.

 “We were stranded in Istanbul, Turkey for five days.” While waiting to transit at Shanghai Pudong International Airport, Huang Hongwei, a leader of Youtai Travel Agency, told a China News Service reporter that due to the situation, the tour group he led was unable to board their originally scheduled flight home.

 During their days stranded overseas, the Taiwanese compatriots tried to reschedule their tickets four times, but every time received notices of indefinite flight delays. “We really missed Chinese food, and we didn’t prepare so many changes of clothes.” After arriving in Shanghai, a Taiwanese compatriot surnamed Cai told a China News Service reporter that the unfamiliar diet and many inconveniences in daily life made everyone even more eager to return home.

 Huang Hongwei stated that, faced with this situation, the travel agency sought help from the Chinese Consulate General in Istanbul. The Consulate then coordinated with relevant departments and airlines in China to assist the stranded Taiwanese in returning home.

“We communicated with the airline in advance for precise coordination, verified flight status and passenger information one by one, strengthened on-site guidance and police security, and also provided transit convenience to ensure these Taiwanese compatriots stranded overseas could return home as soon as possible,” introduced Zheng Jianqiao, from the 18th Duty Team of Shanghai Airport Immigration Inspection Station, Shanghai General Station of Immigration Inspection.

“After being informed by the Chinese Consulate General in Istanbul that more than 20 Taiwanese compatriots on this flight did not have a valid Taiwan Compatriot Permit, under the unified arrangements of China's National Immigration Administration, we made thorough preparations, arranged dedicated personnel and windows to issue a single-use valid Taiwan Compatriot Permit immediately upon landing, ensuring returning compatriots could process on arrival and transfer efficiently.” Chen Shuhan, a police officer from the Document Management Second Division of the Shanghai Public Security Bureau Exit-Entry Administration General Brigade, explained that on-site acceptance, photography, and issuance all took only a few minutes for Taiwanese compatriots to get their processed single-use permit. At the same time, for “first-time” Taiwanese applicants, the exit-entry management department reduced the associated document fees according to policy.

This group of Taiwanese compatriots will transfer on the morning of the 10th from Shanghai Pudong, taking two separate flights to Taipei Songshan and Taoyuan to return home.