Taiwan's tourism authority backed down from fining travel agencies over a new China-trip registration rule, and Beijing is using the retreat to score points.

• Travel agencies were told they could be fined up to NT$50,000 for not helping customers register trips to China; after pushback, the tourism agency said it will guide rather than punish.
• The rule was a response to new Chinese exit-entry regulations taking effect September 15, which Taipei fears Beijing could use to restrict Taiwanese travellers.
• China's Taiwan Affairs Office called the policy a scare tactic against Taiwanese visitors and mocked the reversal as a self-made problem.
• Taipei says registration is voluntary for individuals and exists so the government can help citizens caught in emergencies in China.

Outlook: Expect more friction once China's new border rules kick in on September 15, with both sides testing how far they can push travel restrictions.