TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – Taiwanese planning to visit China can voluntarily register with the government, the Mainland Affairs Council said Tuesday.

According to official figures, 82 Taiwanese have gone missing or been detained in China since January 2024. Council Minister Chiu Chui-cheng (邱垂正) said that registration would allow the government to step in early if travelers encounter trouble, Radio Taiwan International reported.

The Tourism Administration has written to travel agencies to encourage customers to register under the new system for trips to China, Hong Kong, and Macau. Chiu recommended registering, but the system is voluntary and will not become obligatory.

The government noted that China has become a riskier travel destination following the launch of its “22 Opinions” last June, targeting alleged Taiwan Independence supporters. Beijing said it would conduct trials in absentia for “independence diehards,” with the death penalty as one outcome.

The Mainland Affairs Council warned that employees of sensitive government departments and prominent academics could be targets for investigation in China. Their phones and laptops could be searched by the authorities.