Taipei: Two Taiwanese government employees experienced unexpected late-night visits from Chinese public security bureau officers during separate trips to China last month, an official revealed on Thursday. The incidents have raised concerns about the safety and privacy of Taiwanese citizens traveling to China.

According to Focus Taiwan, the two civil servants, one from the National Immigration Agency and the other from the Customs Administration, reported the encounters after returning home. Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) spokesperson Liang Wen-chieh disclosed these details during the MAC's weekly press conference. The officers reportedly interrogated the civil servants about their family, education, and career backgrounds, the purpose of their visits, their workplaces, and job duties. Additionally, the Chinese police inspected their mobile phones.

Liang indicated that the questioning suggested Chinese authorities had prior knowledge of the civil servants' travel plans, including their itineraries and hotel accommodations. Each interaction reportedly lasted between two to four hours. Liang also noted that, since January, 19 Taiwanese government employees have been questioned by Chinese police during trips to China, including individuals from the Coast Guard Administration and prosecutors' offices.

In response to these incidents, Liang advised Taiwanese civil servants to avoid traveling to China unless absolutely necessary. He recommended that travelers carry "clean" mobile phones devoid of sensitive or personal data. Current regulations mandate that civil servants of level 11 and above, as well as those in defense and sensitive positions, must obtain approval from the Ministry of the Interior's joint review committee before traveling to China. Civil servants at level 10 and below are required to inform their respective agencies of any such trips.