Can a Chinese citizen living in Europe go to Taiwan?

Question

Context

My girlfriend is a Chinese (PRC) citizen and we are now living in central Europe. I went to Taiwan with a friend two years ago and really enjoyed it, and my girlfriend and I would like to go there together as tourists.

However, since 2019 China bans Chinese citizens from traveling to Taiwan without a group. We are not interested in a group trip.

Question

Does this ban also concern Chinese citizens living abroad ? If not, how should we proceed to get there, and how easy/risky would that be for her (e.g., issue at Taipei airport, further issue when she goes back to Mainland at some point, etc.) ?

I found this Q/A, but as it was asked in 2016, it's likely not accurate with the 2019 change.

Notes

• For this question, please assume that there is no Covid-19 crisis, as it's not really the problem I'm interested in
• Whatever we do, this has to be legal for both of us, the goal is not to cheat on Chinese authorities

Answer 1

The suspension only concerns the issuance of the Two-way Travel Pass to Taiwan with G endorsement (private tourism) for Mainland residents (including those abroad on tourist visas, but not for people living abroad on student visa valid longer than a year or with a residence permit). The G endorsement was on a pilot run only for residents in certain cities; PRC passport holders abroad are not eligible to apply.

The use of the two-way pass was never required if you are not flying from (and not flying back to) or transiting in Mainland (not including HK/Macau), where the exit immigration control does not accept anything but a validly endorsed Travel Pass or Mainland Travel Permit for Taiwan Residents, in accordance to the One China principle.

The restrictions (Travel Pass, Exit/Entry permit etc.) are based on bilateral agreements on exchange of residents on different sides, usually do not concern expats abroad for either side.

You only need a passport (with more than six months validity remaining) and the electronic Exit/Entry permit from Taiwan authorities.

If you ask the PRC consulate, they'll be put in an awkward position and probably won't answer your question directly. The Taiwanese representation will inform you of the necessary procedures, and presumably would also warn you if they are aware of any problems.

Unless you are in a politically sensitive political/military position, or a political dissident (for whom it doesn't really matter since you wouldn't be able to return to Mainland trouble-free anyway), the Mainland government more or less doesn't care if you go to Taiwan or not if you are not resident.

See the guides updated after the suspension for Chinese abroad (in Chinese)

1. https://www.uscreditcardguide.com/daluquxiaodatongzhenggqianzhichangjianwentiwendajiyuce/
2. https://www.pekflyer.com/%E5%A4%A7%E9%99%86%E8%B5%B4%E5%8F%B0%E8%87%AA%E7%94%B1%E8%A1%8C%E8%A2%AB%E5%8F%AB%E5%81%9C%EF%BC%8C%E6%B5%B7%E5%A4%96%E6%8C%81%E5%AD%A6-%E5%B7%A5%E7%AD%BE%E6%9A%82%E6%97%A0%E5%BD%B1%E5%93%8D/

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第二条　居住在大陆的中国公民（以下简称大陆居民）往来台湾地区（以下简称台湾）以及居住在台湾地区的中国公民（以下简称台湾居民）来往大陆，适用本办法。

Article 2 These measures apply to Chinese citizens residing on the mainland (hereinafter referred to as mainland residents) to travel to and from Taiwan regions (hereinafter referred to as Taiwan) and Chinese citizens residing in Taiwan regions (hereinafter referred to as Taiwan residents) to travel to and from the mainland.

Measures for Chinese citizens to travel to and from Taiwan: http://www.gqb.gov.cn/news/2019/0604/46255.shtml