Exploring the Entry Policies of Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan

Learn More About Their Visa Variations and Why They Matter

In a recent conversation with a family member, the topic of a potential trip to Taipei surfaced. With a decade-long mainland China visa in their possession, they were under the impression that entry into Taiwan would be seamless.

This comment highlighted the complexities and widespread confusion regarding the relationships among mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. Although each of these areas possesses its own unique attributes, they are often grouped together in international affairs discussions. In this article, I will provide an introduction to each entity, helping readers understand why maintaining distinct travel visa regulations is a matter of significant importance for international travelers.

History

Mainland China

The People's Republic of China (PRC) was established on October 1st, 1949, by the Communist Party of China, under the leadership of Chairman Mao Zedong. Covering nearly the entire Chinese landmass, mainland China is home to many of the nation’s most renowned cities, including Beijing—the capital—as well as Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Nanjing. The official currency is the Renminbi, often also referred to as the Chinese Yuan.

Since the Opening Up and Reform period began in 1978, mainland China has gradually shifted from Soviet-style planned economics to a more market-oriented economic model. Currently, mainland China’s economy is deeply integrated into the global commerce network, yet it still utilizes certain protectionist policies, such as limitations on capital flows. International brands, such as Apple, Gucci, and Mercedes, are readily available across the mainland’s market. Nevertheless, some global websites, such as Facebook, YouTube, and Google, remain inaccessible, pending authorization for widespread use by Chinese authorities.

A scenic overview of Beijing, capturing its cultural and architectural diversity.

Hong Kong

Hong Kong today stands as a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of the PRC. Although it shares the same ultimate governing authority as mainland China, with Beijing and the Communist Party of China at the helm, Hong Kong is distinguished by some unique attributes that set it apart from the PRC’s other regions.

This distinctiveness stems, in part, from its colonial history. Under British control from 1841 until 1997, Hong Kong was ceded to British rule following China’s Qing dynasty defeat in the First Opium War. Subsequently, the Qing dynasty signed a treaty that extended the size of Britain’s colony in southern China under a 99-year lease. When this lease concluded in 1997, governance over Hong Kong transitioned from London to Beijing.

The Hong Kong SAR maintains its own local government system despite an asymmetrical relationship between Hong Kong and Beijing authorities. The region’s capitalist-influenced economy differentiates it from mainland China’s system. Hong Kong’s economy is deeply integrated into the global financial system, allowing capital to flow freely in and out of the city. The ‘one country, two systems’ principle permits Hong Kong to have a special political-economic system within the confines of the PRC.

A bustling street view of Hong Kong.

Taiwan

Unlike mainland China and Hong Kong, Taiwan is not governed by the Communist Party of China. Its government's roots date back to before the formation of the PRC, with the establishment of the Republic of China (ROC) in 1912, which succeeded the Qing dynasty. Interestingly, in 1912, Taiwan was not under Chinese rule but was a colony of the Japanese Empire, which had acquired the island during the Qing era. The ROC took control of Taiwan for the first time in 1945, after Japan’s defeat in World War II.

In 1949, following the Chinese Civil War, the ROC government retreated to Taiwan as the Chinese communists took over the mainland. This relocation to Taipei was meant to be temporary. The ROC’s ruling Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) hoped to one day reclaim the mainland. Following the KMT’s rebasing in Taiwan, the island’s people were subject to extreme Sinification efforts to promote Chinese identity after the island had undergone decades of Japanese colonial education.

The 1990s marked the beginning of Taiwan's evolution into a Western-style democracy. The ROC held its first direct presidential election in 1996. Four years later, in 2000, Taiwan witnessed a historic and peaceful transition of power from the KMT to the Democratic Progressive Party. Today, these two parties continue to be the predominant forces in Taiwanese politics, with power having been peacefully exchanged over the last two decades. Concurrently, Taiwan has developed a robust economy, with its semiconductor industry playing a crucial role in the global technology sector. While Taiwan has never been under Communist Party rule, Beijing still claims the island as part of its territory. Nonetheless, a distinct Taiwanese identity has grown following democratic reforms.

A vivid view of Taipei's architectural highlights.

Visa Regulations

With a basic understanding of each region's history now laid out, we can better grasp the reasons behind their distinct visa regulations. Additionally, this article aims to offer a general guide to the visa policies of each territory. However, for the most accurate and current visa information, travelers should consult the official government websites of each jurisdiction.

Mainland China

The government of the People's Republic of China (PRC) is responsible for issuing visas to enter mainland China. Given that the majority of countries recognize and have diplomatic relations with the PRC rather than the Republic of China (ROC), it is probable that you will find a PRC embassy or consulate in your home country. To confirm if an embassy or consulate belongs to the PRC government, check to see if the organization’s domain name ends with “.gov.cn”, which is used exclusively by the PRC government, much like ".gov" is for the United States government.

Several countries benefit from China's visa exemption policy for short-term tourism, including Ireland, Austria, Singapore, and Thailand, with the duration typically ranging from 15 to 30 days, subject to the traveler's nationality and the visit's purpose. Currently, the United States is not on the list of countries that enjoy visa-free access. Therefore, American travelers, along with others not eligible for visa-free entry, must obtain a travel visa before arriving in mainland China. There are a few specific circumstances under which individuals from these countries might enter without a visa, but for most, securing a travel visa is the recommended course of action.

Hong Kong

Hong Kong, while under the sovereignty of the PRC, often provides more lenient visa-free arrangements compared to mainland China. Nations worldwide can benefit from visa-free access for periods ranging from 7 to 180 days. Most countries from the Americas and Europe enjoy a 90-day visa-free stay, with the United Kingdom being the notable exception, allowing its citizens up to 180 days.

Should you require a visa to enter Hong Kong, the application process typically takes place at the same diplomatic offices that serve mainland China, given that both are territories of the PRC. Yet, despite being governed by Beijing, Hong Kong's visa policy operates independently. For instance, if your country has a 14-day visa-free arrangement with mainland China and a 90-day visa-free agreement with Hong Kong, these periods are distinct and not mutually deductible. Simply put, you could visit the mainland for 14 days and Hong Kong for 90 days under their respective visa-free terms, as for travel considerations, they function as two separate entities.

Contrasting with the mainland, travelers to Hong Kong do not receive passport stamps upon entry or exit. Instead, you will be issued a slip of paper detailing the length of your authorized stay within the Hong Kong SAR. This change reflects the shift from physical stamps to digital record-keeping within the government's immigration system.

Taiwan 

Unlike mainland China and Hong Kong, visa policy in Taiwan falls exclusively under the purview of Taipei. This means the ROC government autonomously determines who is allowed to enter Taiwan, leading to visa regulations that are differential from those of mainland China and Hong Kong SAR. Taiwan offers liberal visa-free access to citizens from a wide range of countries. For example, travelers from the United States, Canada, South Korea, and Guatemala can stay in Taiwan for up to 90 days without a visa.

Individuals who require a visa for Taiwan must apply through a local ROC representative office. Since most countries do not maintain official diplomatic relations with the ROC, Taiwan’s overseas offices operate under the name of Taipei Economic and Cultural Offices. Despite the different title, these offices fulfill the same roles in processing tourist visas as any consulate or embassy. For the latest and most accurate visa information, visit the official ROC websites with the “.gov.tw” domain. On these pages, you are likely to find the title "Republic of China (Taiwan)" prominently displayed, indicating their official status. If you encounter a website with "People’s Republic of China" in its title, it will not be able to provide assistance for a Taiwanese tourist visa.

Conclusion

Navigating the visa requirements for mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan can be quite a puzzle for the uninitiated traveler. It is my hope that this article has clarified the differences among these three areas, making the complexities a bit more approachable for intrepid explorers keen on delving into their rich histories. To consolidate the information:

Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan each have a unique historical and political-economic backdrop, leading to distinct visa regulations. For travel to mainland China and Hong Kong, inquiries should be directed to the nearest Chinese embassy or consulate, operated by PRC authorities. For up-to-date visa details for Taiwan, your point of contact will be the closest Taipei Economic and Cultural Office, representing ROC interests.

Alexander Parini is an academic, writer, and international relations specialist in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. He works as an international relations lecturer and global engagement liaison for the University of Economics and Finance. Alexander is an active member of the American Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam and the Council of Taiwanese Chambers of Commerce in Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City Branch).

Previously, he lectured at multiple universities in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, where he primarily taught international relations classes. Alexander holds a master's degree from SOAS University of London and Peking University. Before moving to Asia, he worked in U.S. politics and studied Political Science at Portland State University.

He is active on both LinkedIn and X (Twitter).