The Chinese mainland has rolled out streamlined travel pass measures to accommodate residents of Taiwan, introducing temporary electronic permits and an integrated verification system. Effective Thursday, the changes allow Taiwan residents to apply for a seven-day digital permit if they lose, damage, or forget physical documents—enabling seamless travel across mainland flights and trains during the validity period.
Chen Binhua, spokesperson for the State Council's Taiwan Affairs Office, called the updates a “practical solution” to improve convenience for Taiwan residents studying, working, or residing on the mainland. A unified verification platform now links travel and residence permits, with Chen emphasizing rigorous security protocols. “Participation is voluntary, and personal data protection remains a top priority,” he stated.
The announcement comes amid tensions over cross-strait policy interpretations. Chen criticized Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party authorities for allegedly misrepresenting residence permits—clarifying that the documents function solely to simplify administrative processes. “No Taiwan resident is required to relinquish their home registration,” he affirmed.
These measures align with broader efforts to facilitate cross-strait exchanges, offering practical benefits for Taiwan residents while maintaining strict identity validation frameworks. Analysts suggest the move could strengthen economic and cultural connectivity ahead of anticipated travel season peaks.
