China’s plan to expand its single-entry visa-on-arrival service to Taiwanese would be of limited interest to Taiwanese and is a feeble attempt by Chinese administrators to demonstrate that they are doing something, the Mainland Affairs Council said yesterday.
China’s Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) spokesman Chen Binhua (陳斌華) said the program aims to facilitate travel to China for Taiwanese compatriots, regardless of whether they are arriving via direct flights or are entering mainland China through Hong Kong, Macau or other countries, and they would be able to apply for a single-entry visa-on-arrival at all eligible entry points in China.
The policy aims to create a more open, convenient and safe environment to foster greater interaction and travel between Taiwan and China, thereby facilitating the development of peaceful cross-strait relations, Chen said.
Photo: Chung Li-hua, Taipei Times
Asked whether the number of people applying for a “Taiwan compatriot permit” was increasing, Chen said yes, adding that China welcomes all visitors from Taiwan, whether they are tourists, concertgoers, competing athletes or first-time visitors.
However, the MAC offered a different view, saying it would not rule out that the measure was put out by China’s Taiwan-related departments to show that they are hard at work, as Chinese policies on Taiwan have been lacking this year.
The council warned that reports of Taiwanese being detained in China or have gone missing have increased and urged the public to be aware that the risk to their personal safety has risen if they plan to travel to China.
National Cheng Kung University political science professor Hung Ching-fu (洪敬富) said that the expanded visa-on-arrival program targets Taiwanese youth, trying to lure them to visit China and expose them to “united front” rhetoric.
It aims to create the impression that “the motherland is welcoming” Taiwanese compatriots, Hung said.
Media reports about Taiwanese YouTubers, such as Holger Chen (陳之漢), praising China’s modernization and encouraging Taiwanese to visit China are a weak attempt by Chinese Taiwan-relations offices to demonstrate that the “united front” rhetoric is working, he added.
The TAO yesterday also announced that it would be holding news conferences on a weekly basis — instead of every two weeks.
Hung said the move underscores Beijing’s need to control the discourse on the “united front” rhetoric against Taiwan.
Beijing is stepping up its “united front” rhetoric against Taiwan because the TAO wants to be in control of the cross-strait discourse — not the MAC, Hung added.
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