China to allow customs officials to check travelers’ electronics for sensitive content

China to allow customs officials to check travelers’ electronics for sensitive content

2024-05-08

China has expanded the authority of its customs officials, who will be authorized to check phones and other electronics for sensitive content. The new rules do not limit the searches to Chinese nationals, indicating that foreign nationals may be targeted as well. Although the policy won’t come into force until July 1, foreign media reports say that checks have already begun in Shenzhen and Shanghai.

Wang Fu-min
FTV reporter
If you’re planning on traveling to China, take note. The Ministry of State Security has amended law enforcement regulations to expand the authority of customs officials, who will soon be able check travelers’ phones and laptops for sensitive content.

The new measure grants the authority to inspect arrivals’ electronic devices. The wording doesn’t restrict the checks to Chinese citizens, meaning that foreign nationals could also be subject to inspections. The policy will officially enter effect on July 1, but foreign media reports that inspections are already being conducted at airports in Shenzhen and Shanghai.

Member of public
There’s no need to worry so much. If they want to inspect it, let them. It’s not like you’ve done anything bad.

Member of public
I’m a little scared. I’m going over in early August. Of course, before going, I’ll have to filter out and delete some things on my phone.

Travel agents report that recent group tours to China have yet to encounter the inspections.

Chen Chien-chin
Travel agent
We sent a group out yesterday. I asked the tour guide if anything had happened, and nothing happened. It was all normal. Their phones were not checked. The new rule’s significance lies more in its announcement and not so much in its actual enforcement.

And the checks could potentially be conducted beyond China. An internet user points out that Hong Kong carrier Cathay Pacific is viewed as Chinese territory. This could mean that transiting passengers could be searched on board and even arrested, the user said, advising Taiwanese not to fly with Cathay Pacific or stop over in Hong Kong.

Chen Chien-chin
Travel agent
China’s international airports all have military facilities nearby. So it’s best to not take pictures to avoid any unnecessary trouble.

Taiwan’s National Security Bureau Director-General Tsai Ming-yen recently reminded Taiwanese nationals to exercise caution when entering Hong Kong. He urged travelers to make sure their phones don’t contain messages criticizing China, which could potentially be used as grounds for arrest.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Sun to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

中國執法人員7月起可查國人手機傳深圳.上海已實施

2024-05-08

中國國安部日前公布兩條執法新規定，擴大調查入境旅客電子設備的權力，原定7/1開始執行，但外媒報導，有旅客直擊深圳和上海等地的機場，海關人員已經開始抽查旅客的手機或筆電。旅行業者表示，近期帶團還沒遇到類似情形，但會提醒民眾，在中國不要亂拍照片，尤其是軍事設備。

[[民視記者王富民]]
“搭機前往中國要格外留意了，因為中國國安部新修訂的執法規定，擴大了他們對入境旅客電子設備的調查權，近期已經有旅客被海關抽查他們的手機和筆電，要看裡面是否有敏感資訊”

中國這項國安新規，授予執法人員權力，能直接查驗民眾的電子設備，但沒說只針對中國公民，因此外籍人士也可能被查。政策7/1上路實施，但外媒報導，在深圳及上海機場都有民眾直擊，海關提前展開抽查。

[[民眾]]
“不要想這麼多，他要查就給他查，你又沒有做什麼事情”

[[民眾]]
“我心裡就有點怕怕的，我八月初會過去，我當然回去要過濾啦，要把它刪掉”

旅行業者表示，近期帶團到中國，還沒遇過類似情形。

[[旅行社業者陳健欽]]
“我們昨天的團出去，我剛才詢問我們領隊有沒有這個狀況，他說沒有，一切都很正常，也不會去看你手機，這個宣示的意義大於實質的意義”

除了搭機赴中有風險，網路上也有人PO文討論，指出香港的國泰航空，也被視同為中國領土，因此轉機時就可能被搜查，甚至任意逮捕，提醒台灣民眾不要搭國泰航空並在香港轉機，讓自己身陷危險。

[[旅行社業者陳健欽]]
“(中國)國際航空的機場，旁邊也會有一些軍事設施，說句實在話，你也最好不要拍攝，避免不必要的麻煩”

國安局長蔡明彥日前也曾提醒民眾，如果要入境香港，一定要特別注意人身安全，以及手機是否留有過去批評中國的訊息，避免入境香港後被無端入罪。

更多新聞內容，請鎖定：
民視台灣台（152頻道）週日至週五晚上9:30
民視新聞台（53頻道）週二至週六凌晨1:00

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