Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) issued a travel advisory on January 2, urging citizens to exercise caution when visiting Hong Kong and Macau during the upcoming winter break and Lunar New Year holiday season. The council warned travelers to be aware of local regulations and potential legal risks that could affect their safety and rights.
The MAC noted that travel alerts for both Hong Kong and Macau remain at orange level, recommending citizens avoid non-essential travel. The advisory comes as travel to these destinations continues to recover, with 1.62 million Taiwanese visiting Hong Kong in 2024—a 35% increase from the previous year—and 560,000 visiting Macau, up 16%.
The council specifically warned against carrying items prohibited under Hong Kong and Macau law, including pepper spray, stun guns, telescopic batons, knuckle dusters, spring-loaded knives, and comb knives. These items may be legal in Taiwan, but could result in criminal charges in Hong Kong and Macau, disrupting travel plans.
Given evolving conditions in Hong Kong and Macau, along with changing local laws, the MAC emphasized that travelers should be aware of potential risks to personal safety and legal rights. The council specifically advised citizens to back up and delete any content from mobile phones and personal computers that could be subject to search, confiscation, or criminal prosecution.
The MAC encouraged citizens to carefully assess risks before traveling to either city or mainland China, and advised them to register any such trip with the MAC before departure. （Related： Ex‑TSMC R&D Chief: Without EUV, China’s Chip Industry Is “Fighting With One Leg Broken” ｜ Latest ）
