Introduction
Customs officials in China recently seized three Taiwanese textbooks that were en route to Fuzhou for allegedly misrepresenting Taiwan as a country. According to Chinese authorities, the textbooks featured “incorrect maps” that did not align with Beijing’s stance on Taiwan’s status. The seizure has sparked a fresh wave of concerns over China’s increasing censorship of materials that touch on sensitive political issues such as territorial integrity.
The Seizure and Chinese Customs’ Statement
On Sunday, China’s General Administration of Customs (GAC) posted a statement on WeChat revealing that the textbooks had been confiscated due to the inclusion of “incorrect maps,” which they claimed inaccurately labeled Taiwan as a separate country. The seized textbooks were reportedly forwarded to the relevant authorities for further examination.
Taiwan’s Response: A Growing Trend of Censorship
In response to the seizure, Taiwan’s Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) criticized the move, labeling it as part of a broader trend of increased censorship by China, particularly in the realm of educational materials. The SEF emphasized that China has been increasingly targeting items related to Taiwan’s sovereignty and territorial issues, including textbooks, which are often intercepted or destroyed when they are sent from Taiwan to China.
The SEF added that such censorship is not only focused on textbooks but extends to other forms of educational content that Chinese authorities deem politically sensitive. The SEF further highlighted the challenges faced by Taiwanese expatriate schools in China, which often find their educational materials censored or altered. Despite this, students at these schools make up for missed content during winter and summer breaks by attending additional classes in Taiwan.
Impact on Taiwanese Students in China
According to the SEF, approximately 5,570 students were enrolled in Taiwanese schools across China for the first semester of the 2024 academic year. These schools serve as vital links for the Taiwanese diaspora, but are increasingly subject to scrutiny and regulation by Chinese authorities.
Table: Overview of Taiwanese Schools in China (2024)
| School Location | Number of Students | Curriculum Restrictions |
|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | 1,300 | Censorship of certain political topics |
| Dongguan | 1,100 | Restrictions on maps, and political content |
| Suzhou | 1,200 | Educational material adjustments due to political pressures |
| Beijing | 500 | Subject to regular inspections of curriculum content |
| Other Areas | 1,470 | Ongoing issues with materials being seized or modified |
SEF’s Statement on Taiwan’s Sovereignty
The SEF has strongly criticized China’s actions as an attempt to undermine Taiwan’s sovereignty. “China’s actions reflect a broader trend of political control over even the simplest aspects of cultural and educational exchange,” said an SEF representative. They also emphasized the stark differences between Taiwan’s democratic systems and China’s political structure, which is marked by tight control over freedom of speech and academic autonomy.
The Taiwanese foundation urged that China’s increasingly stringent measures against educational content are undermining basic freedoms and the free exchange of ideas.
Conclusion: Ongoing Tensions Between Taiwan and China
The seizure of Taiwanese textbooks is only the latest episode in the ongoing diplomatic and ideological conflict between China and Taiwan. With growing concerns over censorship in education and other sectors, the situation remains tense for those caught in the middle, particularly Taiwanese students and educators in China. The SEF’s statement reflects growing discontent over China’s increasing influence over the educational materials being taught to students of Taiwanese origin.
