China has officially implemented strengthened immigration management regulations citing industrial and technological security.

According to China's state-run Xinhua News Agency and other reports, China rolled out the State Council's Exit and Entry Administration Regulations starting today (the 15th), which allow authorities to demand the submission of electronic data in addition to documents and materials when verifying the identities and reasons for entry, exit, or stay of travelers.

Article 3 of the new regulations specifies that immigration authorities can inquire about relevant situations and demand the submission of information including documents, materials, and electronic data.

However, the regulations did not specifically explain what kind of information electronic data refers to.

Travelers must cooperate with requests from authorities, and those who submit false materials or make false statements may be denied the issuance of entry and exit certificates, or barred from leaving or entering the country.

The regulations also detailed the grounds on which Chinese citizens can be restricted from leaving the country.

Chinese citizens who obtained entry and exit documents fraudulently or received administrative detention for illegal entry and exit may be restricted from leaving the country for 6 months to 3 years after their punishment ends.

In particular, relevant authorities can also block departures if it is determined that a person poses a risk to China's industrial or technological security by violating export controls or technology import and export management regulations.

When promulgating the related regulations last July, China explained that the measure is intended to safeguard national sovereignty, security, and development interests while guaranteeing the legitimate rights and interests of travelers.

In Taiwan, voices of concern have emerged, suggesting that the implementation of the new regulations could expose information stored on the mobile phones or computers of Taiwanese visitors to China, or lead to travel restrictions.

Speaking at a forum the previous day, Jan Jyh-horng, Deputy Minister of Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council, stated regarding the demand for electronic data that it may include information stored on mobile phones and computers, raising the risk of exposing corporate technological and commercial secrets as well as personal political remarks.

He said that Taiwanese business representatives operating in China and workers in the semiconductor and advanced technology sectors should be especially cautious in assessing the necessity of visiting China.

However, the Taiwanese government has decided to maintain its current travel advisory level for China.

Deputy Minister Jan stated that there are no plans to raise the travel advisory at this stage, but added that current response measures will be maintained until uncertainties surrounding travel to China decrease.

He also added that the ban on Taiwanese group tours to China will not be lifted for the time being.

In Taiwan, given that China defines Taiwanese residents as Chinese citizens residing in the Taiwan region, there are strong views that these measures are likely to apply to Taiwanese people as well.

However, Chinese authorities have not provided specific explanations on how these regulations will be applied to Taiwanese individuals.
 
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