When it comes to Taiwan, officially called the Republic of China, things sometimes get complicated. The background is that the majority of states do not recognize the island country. This can also cause confusion for the most recent passengers who were last in the People's Republic of China.

The question of whether the island of Tawain is an independent state as the Republic of China or merely a "breakaway province" of the People's Republic of China has been a bone of contention between Taipei and Beijing for decades. The fact that many states do not or no longer officially recognize the Republic of China has had one or the other curious effect on aviation in the past.

Austria, for example, recently introduced that people who have previously stayed in the People's Republic of China must present a negative PCR test, which must not be older than 48 hours, before departure at check-in or at the latest when boarding. Both the notam, which is important for aviation, and the text of the regulation only mention the People's Republic of China. Understandably, one or the other passenger wonders what it's like when you've been to Taiwan or the special administrative regions of Hong Kong or Macau due to the tricky political situation. Or what if you just change trains in China?

The latter question is quite justified, because in the past people who only changed planes in a country that was subject to some form of documentation were mostly exempt from the "paperwork". This time it's different, because the Austrian Ministry of Health expressly confirmed to Aviation.Direct that even people who have only changed planes in the territory of the People's Republic of China must present a negative PCR test before boarding the airline's non-stop flight to Austria. However: The regulation only applies to non-stop flights between China and the Alpine Republic. If you change trains in another country on the way to Austria, the obligation to test does not apply.

No obligation to submit from Taiwan

The question of whether you have to present a negative PCR test if you fly to Austria from Taiwan (Republic of China) was expressly answered in the negative by the ministry. The obligation to submit only applies to non-stop flights that started in mainland China. A spokeswoman said: "The obligation to present a negative PCR test result applies to all travelers from the People's Republic of China who come to Austria via a direct flight. There are currently direct flights from Shanghai and Beijing. The PCR submission obligation also applies to passengers who change planes in the People's Republic of China and then travel to Austria via a direct flight".

Compulsory testing can be circumvented with transfer flights

The Ministry of Health has not answered how things are with Macau and Hong Kong. However, there are currently no non-stop flights between Austria and the two special administrative zones mentioned. If you change trains in Shanghai or Beijing in the direction of Austria, you are subject to the obligation to present a negative PCR result, which must not be older than 48 hours. If you use an airport outside of the People's Republic of China, this is not necessary. Incidentally, this is also the case if you fly to Austria indirectly from any Chinese airport, i.e. with a transfer in another country.

Caution: The third country in which you want to transfer may also require a PCR result and/or other documents. Therefore, when traveling to China, you should be meticulously informed about the current regulations on the entire travel chain.