A top government agency in Taiwan says people working in key technology industries will soon have to apply to travel to China.
The agency behind the plan is the Mainland Affairs Council. The council is in charge of managing relations between China and Taiwan. It says it is making the changes on the grounds of ensuring national security.
Right now, Taiwanese law stipulates that high-level government personnel have to apply for permission before travelling to China. That includes civil servants from the National Security Bureau, Ministry of National Defense, and Bureau of Investigation under the Ministry of Justice. The rules also extend to people working alongside the government on issues related to national security and other confidential matters.
Under the new rules, people working in key technology industries will also have to apply for permission from government authorities. The Mainland Affairs Council says it will be up to the Ministry of Science and Technology to decide exactly which industries to include in the new plan.
Anyone who travels without permission and breaks the law will face a fine between NT$2 million (US$72,000) and NT$10 million (US$360,000).