Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council stated that last year, there were a total of 221 cases of Taiwanese citizens going missing, being detained or interrogated, and having their personal freedom restricted when traveling to mainland China, a fourfold increase compared to 2024.
On the 27th, the Mainland Affairs Council posted on social media platform Facebook, stating that throughout 2025 there were a total of 221 cases of Taiwanese citizens traveling to mainland China who lost contact, were detained for questioning, or had their personal freedom restricted, compared to 55 cases in 2024—a fourfold surge.
The Mainland Affairs Council pointed out that the relevant risks should not be underestimated, and stated that when Taiwanese citizens encounter emergencies or travel disputes when visiting mainland China, in the absence of a communication mechanism between both sides for protection, the unilateral opening of group tours is equivalent to exposing Taiwanese citizens to the risk of having “no one to turn to for help.”
The Mainland Affairs Council said that in the past, if Taiwanese citizens encountered emergencies or travel disputes while traveling to mainland China, the Cross-Strait Tourism Association (Taiwan Strait Tourism Association and Cross-Strait Tourism Exchange Association) could be contacted immediately to handle the situation. However, with the mainland side unilaterally cutting off contact between both parties, issues related to the quality and safety of travel for Taiwanese citizens visiting the mainland cannot be effectively addressed or guaranteed.
The Mainland Affairs Council also called on mainland China that, if it is sincere about resuming cross-strait tourism, the Cross-Strait Tourism Exchange Association should respond positively to the Taiwan Strait Tourism Association as soon as possible, to communicate and ensure stability, quality, fairness, and safety for tourism after resuming cross-strait tourism, so that cross-strait tourism can get back on track as soon as possible.