Taipei [Taiwan], April 5 (ANI): More than 6,000 students from Taiwan have taken part in academic exchange programmes in China over the past two years, even as authorities continue to caution against such travel due to mounting security risks, The Taipei Times reports.
Official data from Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council show 3,592 and 2,966 Taiwanese students joined exchange initiatives in China in those two years, respectively. Participation persisted despite an “orange light” travel advisory warning of potential dangers, raising questions about the advisory’s effectiveness.
National Immigration Agency figures indicate 2,296 and 2,551 Chinese students visited Taiwan for academic purposes in those same years, reflecting continued two-way student flows across the Strait. A review of university websites found several Taiwanese institutions still actively promoting exchange opportunities in China without prominently displaying government safety warnings. For example, National Chengchi University launched campus recruitment drives, offered scholarships, and held workshops with returning participants to encourage enrolment in China-based programmes.
By contrast, Kainan University included official advisories and guidance about legal risks, especially related to China’s national security laws. NCCU responded to criticism saying student welfare is a priority and that programmes comply with national regulations, noting outbound exchanges to China are small compared with global placements—about 20–30 students annually to Chinese institutions out of roughly 300 total participants, The Taipei Times reported.
Taiwan’s Ministry of Education reiterated warnings to universities about risks tied to academic cooperation with China, saying a monitoring platform has been set up to track exchanges and guard sensitive research and national security. Educators have been urged to be vigilant against invitations that might serve propaganda purposes or facilitate undue influence. (ANI)
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