China’s Taiwan Affairs Office has blacklisted Taiwanese Interior Minister Liu Shyh-fang and Education Minister Cheng Ying-yao, prohibiting them and their relatives from entering mainland China, Hong Kong or Macau. Prosecutor Chen Shu-Yi was likewise added, bringing the tally of officials labelled "die-hard secessionists" to 14.([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/world/china/china-takes-punitive-actions-three-taiwanese-independence-activities-2026-01-07/))
The ban, announced 7 January 2026, follows large-scale PLA drills around Taiwan last week and signals a harder line on what Beijing views as pro-independence activity. While primarily political, the measure tightens personal mobility for senior Taipei officials, restricting participation in cross-strait academic forums and industry events often hosted in mainland venues.
For organisations or individuals now reevaluating their travel plans, VisaHQ can streamline the process of securing the correct documentation and staying compliant with fast-changing Chinese regulations, covering visas for mainland China as well as Hong Kong and Macau. More information is available at https://www.visahq.com/china/.
![Beijing Bars Two Taiwanese Ministers and Families from Mainland, Hong Kong and Macau]()
Corporations should anticipate ripple effects: cross-strait delegations may face additional scrutiny, and mainland travel permissions for Taiwan-registered business chambers could become more restrictive. Hong Kong and Macau, important transit points for semiconductor-industry executives, are explicitly included in the entry ban, underscoring Beijing’s intent to close loopholes.
Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council condemned the move as intimidation that "gravely undermines cross-strait relations." Analysts expect retaliatory symbolic measures but no immediate visa restrictions on mainland Chinese entering Taiwan.
Mobility managers with dual-market operations should monitor visa-issuance times for Taiwanese staff and ensure contingency plans for meetings scheduled in Greater China jurisdictions.
The ban, announced 7 January 2026, follows large-scale PLA drills around Taiwan last week and signals a harder line on what Beijing views as pro-independence activity. While primarily political, the measure tightens personal mobility for senior Taipei officials, restricting participation in cross-strait academic forums and industry events often hosted in mainland venues.
For organisations or individuals now reevaluating their travel plans, VisaHQ can streamline the process of securing the correct documentation and staying compliant with fast-changing Chinese regulations, covering visas for mainland China as well as Hong Kong and Macau. More information is available at https://www.visahq.com/china/.
Corporations should anticipate ripple effects: cross-strait delegations may face additional scrutiny, and mainland travel permissions for Taiwan-registered business chambers could become more restrictive. Hong Kong and Macau, important transit points for semiconductor-industry executives, are explicitly included in the entry ban, underscoring Beijing’s intent to close loopholes.
Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council condemned the move as intimidation that "gravely undermines cross-strait relations." Analysts expect retaliatory symbolic measures but no immediate visa restrictions on mainland Chinese entering Taiwan.
Mobility managers with dual-market operations should monitor visa-issuance times for Taiwanese staff and ensure contingency plans for meetings scheduled in Greater China jurisdictions.
