More than 6,000 Taiwanese students participated in academic exchange programs in China over the past two years, even as officials have warned about potential security risks, according to a Taipei Times report citing government data. Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council recorded 3,592 and 2,966 outbound exchange participants in those two years, respectively. The figures stand in contrast to an ‘orange light’ travel advisory that cautions travelers about possible dangers, prompting questions about how effective the advisory is at deterring such trips. Official data also show continued two-way flow across the Taiwan Strait: the National Immigration Agency reported 2,296 and 2,551 Chinese students traveling to Taiwan for academic purposes in the same two years. A review of university websites found that several Taiwanese institutions continue to promote exchange opportunities in China without prominently displaying government safety warnings. The Taipei Times highlighted National Chengchi University’s campus recruitment drives, scholarships, and workshops featuring returnees as examples of active promotion. By comparison, Kainan University was noted for including official advisories and guidance on legal risks, especially those related to China’s national security laws. NCCU responded to criticism by saying student welfare is a priority, that its programs follow national regulations, and that exchanges to Chinese institutions represent a relatively small share of outbound placements — roughly 20 to 30 students to China each year out of about 300 total outbound participants. Taiwan’s Ministry of Education has reiterated cautions to universities about the risks tied to academic cooperation with China and said it has established a monitoring platform to track exchanges and protect sensitive research and national security. Educators have been urged to watch for invitations that could serve propaganda aims or enable undue influence. This report is based on syndicated news content as published by The Taipei Times.
