South Korea Modifies Electronic Arrival Card; Beijing Hopes ROK Abides by One-China Principle
The South Korean government has modified its electronic arrival card (E-Arrival Card), removing a field that had labeled Taiwan as 'CHINA (TAIWAN)' in response to a protest from Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Taiwan is part of China, making the 'China Taiwan' label natural, and urged South Korea to adhere to the One-China principle. Taiwan responded that, based on reciprocity, it will maintain the designation 'South Korea' on its Alien Resident Certificates.
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- 📰 Published: April 14, 2026 at 17:58
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(CNA, Taipei, 14th) In response to South Korea's modification of its electronic arrival card, deleting the previous erroneous listing of Taiwan as CHINA (TAIWAN), and emphasizing that its One-China principle remains unchanged, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded today, stating, 'Taiwan is a part of China, and labeling it as 'China Taiwan' is a matter of course.' It hopes the South Korean government will abide by the One-China principle and resist and oppose any form of Taiwan independence.
Previously, South Korea's electronic arrival card (E-Arrival Card) incorrectly labeled Taiwan as CHINA (TAIWAN) in the 'Place of Departure' and 'Next Destination' fields. Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs demanded a response from the South Korean side by a deadline in March, threatening to change 'Korea' to 'South Korea' on the 'Taiwan Electronic Entry Permit' form. On the 10th, the South Korean side modified the electronic arrival card, deleting the 'Previous Place of Departure' and 'Next Destination' fields, while the 'Nationality' field remained as TAIWAN.
According to China News Service, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs held a regular press conference in the afternoon. A reporter asked: This afternoon, a spokesperson for the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the South Korean government, through the 1992 ROK-China Joint Communiqué and subsequent joint statements, has continuously confirmed its respect for China's position that 'there is only one China, and Taiwan is a part of China,' emphasizing that this respect for the One-China position has not changed. The recent measures regarding the electronic arrival card are merely administrative and technical measures to 'enhance convenience for visitors,' simplify the entry-exit management system, and unify the format of paper and electronic arrival cards.
The reporter asked, 'Previously, the Taiwan authorities expressed dissatisfaction with South Korea's labeling of Taiwan as 'China Taiwan' in that option. What is China's comment on this?'
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun responded that the joint communiqué on the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and South Korea clearly stipulates that the government of the Republic of Korea recognizes the government of the People's Republic of China as the sole legal government of China and respects China's position that 'there is only one China, and Taiwan is a part of China.' South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, during an interview with Chinese media earlier this year and his state visit to China, also clearly expressed respect for the One-China position.
He claimed, 'Taiwan is a part of China, and labeling it as 'China Taiwan' is a matter of course.' China's position on the 'Taiwan issue' is clear and consistent. The One-China principle is a basic norm of international relations and a universal consensus of the international community, and it is also the political foundation for China to establish and develop relations with countries and relevant organizations around the world, including South Korea.
Guo Jiakun concluded by saying that he hopes the South Korean government fully recognizes that the 'Taiwan issue' concerns the national sentiments of more than 1.4 billion Chinese people, adheres to the spirit of the joint communiqué on the establishment of diplomatic relations, 'abides by the One-China principle, resists and opposes any form of 'Taiwan independence',' and works with China to promote the healthy and stable development of China-ROK relations with practical actions.
Taiwan's 'Alien Resident Certificate' nationality column was changed to 'South Korea' on March 1st to counter the belittling of Taiwan on the South Korean electronic arrival card, after which South Korea recently deleted the erroneous field. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated today that the Taiwan government, based on the principle of reciprocity, will maintain the current listing in the 'Alien Resident Certificate' nationality column. (Editors: Yang Sheng-ju/Chu Chien-ling) 1150414
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Previously, South Korea's electronic arrival card (E-Arrival Card) incorrectly labeled Taiwan as CHINA (TAIWAN) in the 'Place of Departure' and 'Next Destination' fields. Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs demanded a response from the South Korean side by a deadline in March, threatening to change 'Korea' to 'South Korea' on the 'Taiwan Electronic Entry Permit' form. On the 10th, the South Korean side modified the electronic arrival card, deleting the 'Previous Place of Departure' and 'Next Destination' fields, while the 'Nationality' field remained as TAIWAN.
According to China News Service, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs held a regular press conference in the afternoon. A reporter asked: This afternoon, a spokesperson for the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the South Korean government, through the 1992 ROK-China Joint Communiqué and subsequent joint statements, has continuously confirmed its respect for China's position that 'there is only one China, and Taiwan is a part of China,' emphasizing that this respect for the One-China position has not changed. The recent measures regarding the electronic arrival card are merely administrative and technical measures to 'enhance convenience for visitors,' simplify the entry-exit management system, and unify the format of paper and electronic arrival cards.
The reporter asked, 'Previously, the Taiwan authorities expressed dissatisfaction with South Korea's labeling of Taiwan as 'China Taiwan' in that option. What is China's comment on this?'
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun responded that the joint communiqué on the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and South Korea clearly stipulates that the government of the Republic of Korea recognizes the government of the People's Republic of China as the sole legal government of China and respects China's position that 'there is only one China, and Taiwan is a part of China.' South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, during an interview with Chinese media earlier this year and his state visit to China, also clearly expressed respect for the One-China position.
He claimed, 'Taiwan is a part of China, and labeling it as 'China Taiwan' is a matter of course.' China's position on the 'Taiwan issue' is clear and consistent. The One-China principle is a basic norm of international relations and a universal consensus of the international community, and it is also the political foundation for China to establish and develop relations with countries and relevant organizations around the world, including South Korea.
Guo Jiakun concluded by saying that he hopes the South Korean government fully recognizes that the 'Taiwan issue' concerns the national sentiments of more than 1.4 billion Chinese people, adheres to the spirit of the joint communiqué on the establishment of diplomatic relations, 'abides by the One-China principle, resists and opposes any form of 'Taiwan independence',' and works with China to promote the healthy and stable development of China-ROK relations with practical actions.
Taiwan's 'Alien Resident Certificate' nationality column was changed to 'South Korea' on March 1st to counter the belittling of Taiwan on the South Korean electronic arrival card, after which South Korea recently deleted the erroneous field. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated today that the Taiwan government, based on the principle of reciprocity, will maintain the current listing in the 'Alien Resident Certificate' nationality column. (Editors: Yang Sheng-ju/Chu Chien-ling) 1150414
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FAQ
What change did South Korea make to its electronic arrival card?
The South Korean government modified its electronic arrival card by removing the 'Previous Place of Departure' and 'Next Destination' fields, which had previously mislabeled Taiwan as 'CHINA (TAIWAN)'.