Taiwan Calls on China to Lift Student Ban Amid Chinese Student Delegation Visit
Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) urged Beijing on Thursday to lift its suspension on mainland Chinese students studying in Taiwan. The call for action comes as a group of 40 Chinese students and faculty members from seven prestigious Chinese universities visits Taiwan.
Delegation Visit & Notable Attendees
The Chinese student delegation, which includes notable figures such as six-time Olympic table tennis champion Ma Long (馬龍), was invited by a foundation set up by former President Ma Ying-jeou. The group’s visit includes tours of various educational institutions and cultural landmarks.
Despite the ongoing suspension, Taiwan remains committed to facilitating educational exchanges and fostering dialogue between students from both sides of the Taiwan Strait.
MAC’s Stance on Educational Exchanges
Liang Wen-chieh (梁文傑), Deputy Head and Spokesperson for the MAC, stated that while Taiwan supports lawful and healthy exchanges, short-term visits like this cannot provide a true understanding of Taiwan’s culture. He emphasized that open, independent interaction between mainland and Taiwanese students is crucial for fostering a deeper, untainted exchange of ideas.
The MAC has repeatedly urged China to end the suspension, which has been in place since April 2020. Liang noted that, despite Taiwan’s efforts, including offering coverage under the National Health Insurance for mainland students, Beijing has not yet responded positively.
Concerns Over Political Influence
There are concerns that the visiting students are affiliated with political groups such as the Communist Youth League of China, with reports suggesting that their visit may have been strategically planned to propagate Chinese political ideals. According to MAC officials, a genuine student exchange should include a variety of backgrounds, opinions, and perspectives, rather than one with a political agenda.
In a more detailed account, some reports have claimed that the Chinese student group may have been carefully selected to spread political propaganda. In contrast, the MAC advocates for a broader range of mainland students participating in exchanges, representing a mix of views and backgrounds.
Visits to Cultural and Educational Landmarks
The group’s activities include visits to the Taipei Confucius Temple and National Chengchi University (NCCU). At NCCU, students from both Taiwan and mainland China engaged in one-on-one conversations, sharing experiences and stories. Yang Qian, a gold medalist in shooting from Tsinghua University, expressed hope for future exchanges, particularly between Tsinghua and Taiwanese universities.
Key Questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| When did the Mainland Affairs Council issue their statement? | Thursday, in response to the student visit. |
| What is the main concern with the Chinese student visit? | The visit may involve political propaganda, limiting true exchange. |
| Why has the student suspension been in place since 2020? | Due to the pandemic and ongoing political tensions between Taiwan and China. |
| What is Taiwan doing to facilitate better exchanges? | Taiwan offers National Health Insurance and encourages an open exchange environment. |
| Where did the Chinese student delegation visit in Taiwan? | Taipei Confucius Temple and National Chengchi University among others. |
Closing Remarks
The visit of the Chinese delegation highlights the ongoing issue of cross-strait relations and Taiwan’s calls for a balanced, politically neutral educational exchange. Taiwan continues to advocate for unrestricted, healthy interactions between mainland Chinese and Taiwanese students, believing it to be essential for fostering mutual understanding.
