TAIPEI – A Chinese student delegation currently visiting Taiwan may have violated regulations governing visits by individuals from China, according to Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council (MAC). The controversy stems from remarks made by a member of the group, which included students from Fudan University, during a recent exchange trip arranged by the Ma Ying-jeou Foundation.
Remarks That Sparked Controversy
The incident occurred on December 1, when a delegation member referred to Taiwan’s national baseball team – which officially competes as “Chinese Taipei” – as “the China Taipei team” while congratulating them for their victory at the WBSC Premier12 Championship.
The remarks quickly caught the attention of Taiwan’s Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) lawmakers, who criticized the use of the term “China Taipei” as undermining Taiwan’s status as a sovereign nation. In response to this controversy, the Mainland Affairs Council indicated that the student group might have violated the “Regulations Governing the Approval of Entry of People of the Mainland Area into Taiwan Area.”
Violation of Regulations and Possible Consequences
According to MAC head Chiu Chui-cheng, the Chinese delegation’s actions could be considered a violation of the written agreement submitted by the Ma Ying-jeou Foundation. The agreement stipulated that the delegation would refrain from making political remarks or engaging in propaganda unrelated to the scheduled activities during their visit.
In an official statement, Chiu emphasized that remarks like “China Taipei” are commonly used by the Chinese government to belittle Taiwan, and are not acceptable in Taiwan. The MAC expressed regret over the disturbance caused in society by these remarks and announced that they would proceed with administrative actions once all the relevant information is gathered.
| Issue | Current Situation | Potential Outcomes |
|---|---|---|
| Violation of Agreement | Student group possibly violated entry regulations and guidelines. | MAC may impose penalties, including entry bans for individuals and organizations. |
| Remarks about Taiwan’s National Team | A member of the delegation used the term “China Taipei.” | Possible consequences include a review of the foundation’s future activities. |
| Impact on Taiwanese Sovereignty | Lawmakers argue that such remarks undermine Taiwan’s status. | MAC will examine whether further actions are needed. |
Debate Over Freedom of Speech
During a legislative meeting on Thursday, Kuomintang (KMT) Legislator Hsu Yu-chen questioned Chiu about the nature of the “inappropriate remarks” and pointed out that Taiwan values freedom of speech. Hsu noted that individuals should be allowed to use expressions familiar to their own country, especially when visiting Taiwan, as long as they do not intend to cause harm.
However, DPP lawmaker Su Chiao-hui rejected this argument, calling the remarks “the greatest insult to Taiwan’s national dignity.” She further accused the delegation of using the opportunity for educational exchange as a cover to undermine Taiwan’s democracy and legal system. Su also pressed the MAC for clarity on how long the investigation would take.
Possible Consequences for China-Taiwan Exchanges
Chiu assured lawmakers that the MAC would continue its investigation, which could lead to penalties, including a one-year to five-year ban for individuals from China found to have violated Taiwan’s regulations. In addition, organizations like the Ma Ying-jeou Foundation, which facilitated the visit, could face bans on future exchanges lasting from six months to five years.
The incident also brought attention to the growing dispute over Taiwan’s international status, as Chinese officials increasingly refer to Taiwan as “China Taipei” in international contexts. This term is commonly used by Chinese authorities to challenge Taiwan’s sovereignty, as seen in past comments by Chinese diplomats, such as Geng Shuang (耿爽) in 2018.
Ma Ying-jeou Foundation Responds
In response to the MAC’s concerns, Hsiao Hsu-tsen, CEO of the Ma Ying-jeou Foundation, defended the exchange, stating that if any regulations had been violated, the MAC would have acted immediately to terminate the trip. Since no such action has been taken, Hsiao suggested that the trip had not violated any regulations.
Student Protest and Growing Concerns
Meanwhile, student groups from universities like National Taiwan University (NTU) organized protests against the Chinese delegation’s visit. The students demanded that Taiwan avoid exchanges with individuals they believed were affiliated with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and were using the visit to engage in propaganda. These groups also called for mutual respect in exchanges and warned against anything that might undermine Taiwan’s sovereignty.
Public Sentiment and National Identity
The protest highlights the sensitivity surrounding Taiwan’s sovereignty and identity, especially in relation to China. The increasing use of terms like “China Taipei” instead of “Chinese Taipei” has raised concerns among Taiwanese citizens and lawmakers about the potential impact on their national identity.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What happened during the Fudan University student delegation’s visit?
A: A member of the student delegation referred to Taiwan’s national baseball team as the “China Taipei team” during an interview. This was seen as an attempt to undermine Taiwan’s sovereignty.
Q: Why is the use of the term “China Taipei” controversial?
A: “China Taipei” is a term often used by Chinese authorities to downplay Taiwan’s international recognition, while “Chinese Taipei” is the official name Taiwan uses in international events.
Q: What actions could the MAC take in response to the delegation’s remarks?
A: The MAC may impose penalties, including entry bans for individuals involved, as well as potential bans on the Ma Ying-jeou Foundation from organizing similar exchanges in the future.
Q: What are the concerns raised by Taiwanese student groups?
A: Taiwanese students have expressed concerns about Chinese Communist Party-affiliated individuals using academic exchanges to spread propaganda and undermine Taiwan’s sovereignty.
Q: Will this incident affect future exchanges between Taiwan and China?
A: The outcome of this investigation may influence how Taiwan approaches future exchanges with Chinese delegations, especially regarding issues of national identity and sovereignty.
