Taipei's Computex 2026, one of the world's largest technology trade shows, opened on Tuesday, June 2 with a notable absence: delegates from mainland China — including staff from companies listed among the event's 219 mainland exhibitors — have been effectively shut out after Taiwan stalled or left pending their entry-permit applications, according to multiple people with direct knowledge of the situation.

The permit freeze in practice

Two mainland Chinese residents employed by companies among the 219 registered mainland exhibitors said that nobody on their respective teams received an entry permit from Taiwanese authorities this year. A third person — a mainland citizen working for a multinational corporation — said colleagues from other regions had secured travel documents while his own application remained stalled. In no case were formal rejections issued; instead, applications were left pending indefinitely or applicants were asked to supply additional documentation that was reportedly nearly impossible to provide on short notice.

Two travel agencies specialising in cross-strait travel confirmed that none of their clients — including official exhibitors — had received entry-permit approvals for Computex 2026. The four-day event runs through the week under the theme 'AI Together'.

Why it matters

Computex is a flagship showcase for next-generation hardware and artificial intelligence infrastructure, drawing over 1,500 exhibitors from 33 countries and regions this year. Headlining brands include Nvidia, Intel, and Advanced Micro Devices — all US-headquartered giants central to the global AI supply chain. Mainland Chinese firms, many of which manufacture components integral to that same supply chain, are now unable to send personnel to represent their products or forge partnerships on the floor.

The practical effect is a significant competitive disadvantage: without on-site staff, mainland exhibitors cannot conduct live demonstrations, negotiate deals, or respond to technical queries from buyers.

A pattern of cross-strait exclusions

This is reportedly not an isolated incident. One travel agency noted that a similar permit freeze occurred in April 2026 at the Taipei AMPA, a major automobile parts trade show, where mainland exhibitors were similarly unable to send personnel. That back-to-back pattern across two major Taiwan-hosted industry events suggests a broader, sustained tightening of cross-strait access rather than a case-by-case administrative delay.

Cross-strait relations have remained strained under President Lai Ching-te, and travel between mainland China and Taiwan has faced mounting friction across multiple sectors.

What's next

With Computex 2026 already underway, affected mainland delegates have effectively lost the opportunity to attend this edition. The longer-term question is whether the permit freeze will extend to future cross-strait trade engagements or prompt mainland firms to seek alternative platforms — such as events in Singapore, Hong Kong, or Shanghai — to connect with global hardware buyers. Industry observers will be watching whether Taiwanese authorities formalise the policy or continue operating through deliberate administrative ambiguity.