An uncompleted trip to Taiwan

Yesterday, I initially would visit Taiwan for ATC9-07 conference.
However, I met an unexpected and uncompleted experience on that.

The story is as below.

I arrived at HK Airport at around 11am and went to check-in at the counter of DragonAir.
The proposed flight is KA480 at 12:20pm from HK to Taipei. The proposed arrival time is 14:00.

At the counter, the staff of DragonAir questioned my nationality and I told him I was born at China.
Also, he asked me if I had the VISA or not. I said I do not need since I got the conference committee information before.
I showed them the email of below.
******************************先生您好:

我有幫您與台灣方面的移民署確認過，

現在的大陸人士入台規定係以您的居留權來區分，

1. 具大陸居留權人士，必須以參加學術研討會的理由申請入台手續

2. 具香港居留權人士，可落地簽證但只可入境台灣14天

因您的情況比較特殊，係1980年移民香港並取得香港居留權

台灣方面現在區分的方式係取得香港居留權滿七年以上之大陸人士即可利用第二點所述之方式入境台灣。

(省略其他)

*******************************************************************

They were doubted the email and sent my copies of passport, HK ID card and that email to
their counter at Taipei so that their staff there asked the Immigration Agency of Taiwan after receiving them.

About 12pm, the staff of DragonAir said their staff at Taipei checked with Immigration Agency and said
I cannot get on the flight without valid VISA on hands (SINCE i was born at China).
They said they might only allow me to change to another flight at the same day due to my ticket grade,
if I can get approval from Immigration Agency later on.

Besides, they suggested me to seek the help from Chung Hwa Travel Company at HK Airport.
The staff of Chung Hwa Travel Company gave me same reasons and did not do me any favor.
The only suggestion from them is saying to ask the conference committee to deal with Immigration Agency of Taiwan.

That's why I tried to write 2 emails to the conference committee and fax the email by my friends later on.

I started to wait for the reply from the conference committee and tried to seek other means to solve the problems.
Nancy knew my situation and started to search phone number of Immigration Agency of Taiwan.
I tried many times and finally reached a lady at Taipei Immigration Agency at 5pm.

She stressed I should apply VISA as normal way at HK
( the normal VISA is usually needed 2-3 weeks or express way in one week),SINCE I was born in China.
I told my case and the description from the secretary of the conference committee before but she
said they did not have such regulations.
(It means I cannot apply VISA upon arrival.) She said even I really could get abroad to Taiwan, the Immigration Agency
will surely send me back without that VISA.

I felt totally frustrated and decide to cancel the trip of ATC9-07. At the same time, I asked my travel agency to
try her best to cancel the hotel booking with minimum penalty if it is possible.
( I still have no idea if I can get back any refund until now tonight)

This is my experience on the ATC9-07 trip.
I have prepared a lot for the trip and ready for my presentation.

The only thing I missed out is to double checking again with Chung Hwa Travel Company at HK again
after confirmation with the conference committee.
This story told us should follow the instructions of Immigration Dept. even someone offered us
a privilege on the VISA application.