[Cross-Strait] Legislator Proposes Amendment to Prevent Chinese Stowaways from Roaming Freely; Chiu Chui-cheng Agrees: A Public Safety Hazard

Chiu Chui-cheng, Minister of the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC), attended a meeting of the Legislative Yuan's Internal Administration Committee today (17th). Legislator Lee Po-yi pointed out during questioning that Chinese stowaways, awaiting mandatory repatriation, are able to give interviews and "roam freely," turning "alternative detention" into a national security loophole. He has proposed an amendment. Chiu Chui-cheng responded that this is a public safety hazard and he strongly agrees with the amendment. Lee Po-yi mentioned that Ruan Fangyong, a former Chinese navy captain, illegally entered Taiwan by speedboat in June 2024. After completing an 8-month sentence in February 2025, he was transferred to the Immigration Agency for detention. Upon completion of his detention in July, he was placed under alternative detention. During this period, he accepted an interview with an online media outlet, discussing his smuggling process. Additionally, a Chinese influencer named Yang swam from Xiamen to Kinmen in May 2023. After being sentenced to 3 months and detained for 5 months, he returned to China. This influencer later posted a video claiming that after leaving the detention center under alternative detention, he embarked on a tour around Taiwan. Lee Po-yi stated that this is a major loophole. When detention periods expire, individuals cannot be detained, allowing these stowaways to "roam freely" around Taiwan. An amendment is necessary. Currently, Article 18 of the Act Governing Relations Between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area and Article 14-1 of the Act Governing Relations Between the People of the Hong Kong and Macau Area stipulate a maximum detention period of 150 days. Therefore, the law must be amended to allow for extended detention under necessary circumstances. Chiu Chui-cheng stated that Ruan Fangyong's case still has related procedures to be handled and involves some legal issues. Regarding the amendment, the MAC strongly agrees because it is a public safety hazard. (Editor: Song Wanyuan)