Would China to Taiwan and back again count as another entry into China?

Question

I have a double entry visa for China. I've used up the first one and will reenter China for the second one in the next few days.

Now I'd really like to go to Taiwan by ferry but was worried that it would use up my last entry into China and I'd then have to fly out of Taiwan.

But then I started thinking that since China doesn't recognize Taiwan that from their point of view I would not be leaving China, so it should not use up an entry, so I could return and continue travelling in China.

But since the China/Taiwan situation is pretty special and unique there could also be special rules about it.

Answer 1

Unfortunately in this case common sense trumps political pride: entering Taiwan is considered leaving China, and you'll thus need a multiple-entry visa to get back to the mainland. (Incidentally, the same applies to Hong Kong and Macau.)

I'm having trouble finding an authoritative source, but this random Chinese visa agent (apparently banned here, replace 'X' with c) and this Thorn Tree thread confirm:

double or multiple entry visas would be required if you ... travel between mainland China and Hong Kong or Macau or Taiwan on the same tour.