Travellers to Taiwan Face Tighter Entry Checks After Hong Kong Passport Case

A woman accused of spying for China entered Taiwan using a Hong Kong passport, the island's National Immigration Agency said on Wednesday. Taiwan's Interior Ministry has revoked her entry permit and says it will examine how she was allowed in.

Key facts

• Who: Alice Huang, accused of spying for China and of having an affair with Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang
• How she entered: on a Hong Kong passport, confirmed by National Immigration Agency Director-General Lin Horng-en
• Current status: she is overseas and her entry permit has been revoked, so she cannot enter Taiwan again
• What is next: Taiwan will review pre-screening, spot checks and interviews, and post-visit measures
• Investigation: Taiwan's national security agencies are actively investigating the matter

What happened?

Taiwanese authorities say Alice Huang used a Hong Kong passport to travel to the island. Lin Horng-en told reporters that the relevant agencies were fully informed of the records and that officials were aware of all her entry and exit records.

Interior Minister Liu Shyh-fang told lawmakers that Huang had entered the country but was now overseas. Her entry permit has since been revoked, making it impossible for her to enter Taiwan again. On Tuesday, Liu said Taiwan's national security agencies were actively investigating the case.

Why does the passport matter?

It is generally easier for Hong Kong passport holders to enter Taiwan than for mainland Chinese passport holders, who must also apply for special permission to travel there. The additional restrictions are partly due to the complex relations between China and Taiwan, which Beijing claims and has vowed to bring under its control.

What is Taiwan changing?

Liu said the government would review its procedures, specifically its pre-screening, interim spot checks and interviews, and post-visit measures. No details or timetable for any changes have been announced.

What this means for travellers

The case concerns one individual's entry, and the source does not announce any new requirements for visitors. Travellers holding Hong Kong or mainland Chinese passports may want to watch for any procedural changes Taiwan announces following its review.

Separately, Nvidia's board announced on Sunday that it had opened an investigation into Jensen Huang, the company's chief executive and co-founder, who is not related to Alice Huang. Jensen Huang has acknowledged the affair. Alice Huang is a former Chinese executive at Singapore-based Megaspeed, which US officials believe was working for Chinese intelligence; Beijing has rejected the spying allegations.