Taiwan's Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) has released statistical data showing that, in the past year, there have been 9 cases involving 10 Yi Guan Dao followers from Taiwan being detained while traveling in mainland China. The SEF solemnly advises Yi Guan Dao adherents not to travel to the mainland.
According to a report by Central News Agency, the Straits Exchange Foundation held a background briefing on the afternoon of the 17th, specifically to remind Yi Guan Dao believers about the risks of traveling to mainland China. The event was hosted by SEF Secretary-General Luo Wen-chia.
SEF's statistical data indicates that from 2019 until October this year, there have been 14 cases involving 16 Taiwanese people whose personal freedoms were restricted in the mainland due to religious reasons; among these, 10 cases involving 11 people were related to Yi Guan Dao. Narrowing it down to the past year (from last October to this October), there have been 9 cases involving 10 people.
Other cases involving restriction of personal freedom for religious reasons include followers of the Unification Church, Christianity, and Supreme Master Ching Hai.
Reports of Yi Guan Dao followers in the mainland having their personal freedom restricted or being detained have been concentrated within the last year. Luo Wen-chia stated that this is connected to the mainland's continued intensification of religious controls. He emphasized the need for a serious warning to Yi Guan Dao followers to avoid any travel to mainland China for any purpose, including tourism, sightseeing, teaching, or visiting relatives.
Luo Wen-chia further explained the circumstances of Yi Guan Dao followers in the mainland over the past year: for example, three elderly individuals traveled to Guangdong last October under the guise of tourism, but were investigated and detained, and have not yet returned to Taiwan. Another case this February occurred in Guangxi, where the individuals were reading scriptures together and were then investigated and detained.