The highest number of tourists to Taiwan this year came from Hong Kong and Macau. The Mainland Affairs Council’s (MAC) Minister Chiu Tai-san (邱太三) announced the results on Monday.
In his speech at the Council's 112th National Day dinner, Chiu said that the government's efforts to promote healthy and orderly exchanges have gradually restored relations to pre-pandemic levels. Citing statistics from the Transportation and Communications Ministry, he said that over 800,000 Hong Kong and Macau visitors traveled to Taiwan in the first nine months of 2023.
Chiu adds that around 50,000 Hong Kong and Macau residents have been allowed to reside in Taiwan over the past five years, with over 8,600 choosing to become permanent residents.
Chiu says Taiwan's democratic values and the "taste of freedom" are the key factors as to why many Hong Kong and Macau residents choose to come to Taiwan. He reiterates that the council will continue to assist Hong Kong and Macau residents who choose to change their residency to Taiwan.