China trips rose last year, but still down from 2019Staff writer, with CNAThe number of trips made by Taiwanese travelers to China rose 16.86 percent year-on-year last year, but remained nearly 20 percent below pre-COVID-19 levels, Ministry of Transportation and Communications data showed. Taiwanese travelers made 3.24 million visits to China last year, and although an increase from 2024, the figure was still 19.94 percent lower than in 2019, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. A woman poses with red lanterns hanging from a tree at a park in Beijing on Jan. 24 last year. Photo: ReutersTravel to China has been under an “orange” alert — when the Mainland Affairs Council advises the public to avoid nonessential travel — since June 27, 2024. Taiwan’s travel advisory system for China consists of four levels: “gray” (reminder), “yellow” (exercise caution), “orange” (avoid nonessential travel) and “red” (do not travel).

Source: Taipei Times February 19, 2026 17:22 UTC