Taiwanese netizens criticise use of Taiwan passport covers by Chinese travellers

A post on Threads last week showed a short clip featuring a passport cover clearly branded with “Taiwan”.

When the cover was opened, it revealed a Chinese passport inside.

The same video suggested that a Japanese passport cover may also have been used in a similar way.

The caption, written by a Taiwan-born individual who has lived in Japan for three decades, stated: “Chinese, do not use Taiwanese or Japanese passport covers!”

Netizens criticise act as deceptive

One highlighted comment urged Chinese citizens not to use Taiwanese covers, which triggered criticism from various sides.

Some Chinese netizens argued that hiding the country’s name was unpatriotic.

Others from Taiwan and Japan disliked the possibility that their passport imagery was being used as subterfuge.

Comments included: “Chinese people using such tricks? Does China not have laws against treason?”

Another user wrote: “It is unpleasant. Recently I saw videos where they were shouted at in Japan and tried to insist they were from Taiwan. The accent shows it is not true, but people who cannot tell might start to resent Taiwan.”

According to Taiwan media reports, the incident began when a Chinese netizen admitted using the Taiwanese cover while travelling to Japan to avoid negative interactions.

Regional tensions frame public reaction

The controversy unfolded as tensions between Japan and China continued to rise.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi told parliament that a Chinese military attack on Taiwan could represent a “survival-threatening situation”, potentially enabling collective self-defence.

China denounced the remarks and issued a travel advisory urging citizens to avoid Japan.

It also suspended imports of Japanese seafood.

Japan’s tourism sector, which accounts for about 7% of GDP, has long relied on travellers from mainland China and Hong Kong, who make up roughly one-fifth of arrivals, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council.

Separately, Taiwan’s Ministry of the Interior recently ordered Internet service providers to block access to Xiaohongshu, also known as RedNote, for one year.

Authorities cited cybersecurity risks and fraud concerns linked to the Chinese platform.