Office for Civilian Travel Management

The Office for Civilian Travel Management was established to oversee civilian travel between Taiwan and the mainland. This initiative came in response to the challenges posed by illegal crossings, which had become prevalent prior to the office's formation. Following the lifting of restrictions on family crossings, there was a notable lack of interest in official travel permits, with only 277 requests made, primarily by government employees. In stark contrast, during a ten-month period prior to the establishment of the office, approximately 60,000 individuals were arrested for illegal crossings, highlighting the significant demand for cross-strait movement despite the risks involved. The creation of this office marked a shift in the Qing government's approach, as it ceased to actively interfere in cross-strait migration, thereby facilitating a more organized and regulated system for civilian travel.