TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's education minister issued a stark warning Thursday (May 15) about the risks facing students and educators participating in exchange programs with China, citing escalating tensions across the Taiwan Strait. The cautionary statement reflects mounting concerns within Taiwan's government about the political vulnerabilities of academic exchanges and the increasingly complex geopolitical environment.
The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC, 陸委會), Taiwan's primary agency handling relations with China, recently cautioned against accepting "free hospitality" or "on-arrival reception" exchange programs offered by Chinese institutions, suggesting these arrangements may conceal political agendas. Education Minister Cheng Ying-yao (鄭英耀) stressed that while his ministry has no intention of curtailing travel freedoms, officials feel obligated to warn educational institutions about hidden risks in such programs.
Minister Cheng emphasized that while academic exchanges remain valuable for Taiwan's educational development, institutions must exercise prudence when selecting international partners and destinations. He drew a clear distinction in his remarks, noting that Western democracies and other democratic nations typically engage with Taiwan on principles of mutual respect and academic equality, creating more favorable environments for meaningful educational collaboration.
Minister Cheng did not mince words regarding China, explicitly stating that the mainland is "neither friendly to Taiwan nor a democratic country," conditions that could expose Taiwanese students and faculty to significant political vulnerabilities during what should be straightforward academic or cultural activities. These concerns reflect broader tensions in Taiwan's educational policy amid shifting cross-strait relations. ◼