Taiwan Seeks Balance in Cross-Strait Educational Exchanges Amid Tensions

Taiwan's Ministry of Education explores inviting Chinese students to study in Taiwan, despite Beijing's silence. Minister Chiu underscores the need for fairness and warns against China's use of educational exchanges for political tactics. Taiwan has implemented policies to support Chinese students but remains wary of Beijing's restrictions.

The Ministry of Education in Taiwan is actively considering extending invitations to Chinese students to study in Taiwan, despite receiving no response from Beijing, as reported by the Taipei Times citing Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) Minister Chiu Chui-cheng.

At a National Conference for University Presidents in Taiwan, Chiu implored China not to leverage educational exchanges to deploy 'united front' strategies. Highlighting agreements made since 2004 between educational institutions across the strait, Chiu pointed out that such exchanges are stabilizing post-COVID-19.

Last year saw about 2,000 Chinese students arriving for short-term studies in Taiwan, with over 300 Chinese school officials visiting. However, Chiu remarked that China still tries to control the number of its students in Taiwan, citing a COVID-related ban in 2020. He stressed Taiwan's efforts to attract Chinese students through new policies, even as the Taiwanese government barred collaboration with certain Chinese universities over security concerns.