TAIPEI, Taiwan — Interior Minister Liu Shih-fang (劉世芳) affirmed on Monday (March 17) that religious exchanges across the Taiwan Strait will remain unrestricted in a statement that underscores Taiwan's continuing engagement with China despite broader political tensions. Addressing the Legislative Yuan's Internal Affairs Committee (立法院內政委員會), Liu emphasized that while the Ministry of Interior (MOI, 內政部) encourages religious organizations to register their cross-strait activities, the government sees no immediate need to modify existing regulations. The minister's remarks reflect Taiwan's nuanced approach to maintaining cultural and spiritual connections with China while navigating complex geopolitical realities.
Despite the open-door policy, Minister Liu did not shy away from acknowledging persistent safety concerns facing Taiwanese religious practitioners in mainland China. She noted instances where Taiwanese religious group members have faced detention and restrictions on their freedom while in China. When pressed by opposition Kuomintang (KMT, 國民黨) Legislator Chang Chih-lun (張智倫) about whether a formal disclosure system might be necessary, Liu reiterated the ministry's commitment to supporting unrestricted religious exchanges without legislative changes. She added a qualification that the government would continue to respect religious activities provided the organizations in question were legitimate faith groups rather than cults.
As evidence of Taiwan's current approach, Liu pointed to a recent case where Chinese Buddhist elders were permitted to visit Taiwan to attend memorial services for Venerable Master Jing Yao (淨耀法師), who had served as president of the Buddhist Association of the Republic of China (中國佛教會). All Chinese applicants seeking to attend the ceremony were granted entry to Taiwan. The minister's position appears to diverge somewhat from recent statements by President Lai Ching-te (賴清德), who has advocated for the establishment of a more structured disclosure system specifically for religious exchanges with China, citing concerns about potential interference and political influence through religious channels.
