The Education Ministry says it hopes Chinese students can study abroad in Taiwan so there are more opportunities for young people from both countries to learn from each other. Education Minister Pan Wen-chung (潘文忠) spoke on Monday in response to Beijing’s policy that may cause the number of Chinese students studying in Taiwan to drop to nearly zero after this year.
In April 2020, Beijing announced that it was banning Chinese students from going to Taiwan to study unless they were already studying abroad there. The last group of Chinese students to fall under that exception are set to graduate this year, which could mean there will be no more Chinese studying in Taiwan afterwards.
Pan says it’s a pity that this policy hasn’t changed and students from both countries will be missing out on the opportunity to interact and learn together. He adds that surveys show Chinese students are very satisfied with the quality of their education and life in Taiwan.
Pan also says the Education Ministry will continue to work with the Mainland Affairs Council, Straits Exchange Foundation, and other related organizations to build more cross-strait connections. The minister adds that he hopes both China and Taiwan can appreciate the benefits of fostering more youth exchanges.