Jinan University, Guangzhou campus. (Jinan University website photo)
Beijing Chinese Language and Culture College also banned
Keoni Everington
Taiwan News, Staff Writer
Feb. 20, 2025
TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Ministry of Education on Thursday banned two Chinese universities and one college from exchanges due to their affiliation with China's United Front Work Department.
National security officials have identified Huaqiao University, Jinan University in Guangzhou, and Beijing Chinese Language and Culture College as institutions under the jurisdiction of the UFWD, with more than 2,000 Taiwanese students enrolled, per UDN.
At the National Conference for the University Presidents in Taiwan held on Thursday, Minister of Education Cheng Ying-yao (鄭英耀) said Taiwanese universities are prohibited from engaging in exchanges with these three institutions, and their degrees will no longer be recognized.
In recent years, China has introduced incentives to attract Taiwanese students, allowing them to apply to Chinese universities using their General Scholastic Ability Test scores. However, intelligence reports indicate that these three universities are jointly managed by the UFWD and China's education ministry.
As long as a student meets the basic proficiency level in any one of the GSAT subjects, Chinese, English, or Mathematics, and is under the age of 22, they qualify for admission and are granted full tuition waivers for an entire year.
During the university presidents’ meeting, Cheng said that while academic exchanges are generally encouraged, these three institutions are directly affiliated with the UFWD. Since their educational programs serve political agendas, such institutions are deemed unsuitable for academic pursuits, said Cheng.
Therefore, Cheng said university research and academic cooperation should be prohibited. However, Cheng clarified that this policy does not apply to universities focused on talent cultivation, such as Peking University.
The MOE will also inform high schools nationwide and issue official notices through the K-12 Education Administration to ensure compliance.
Cheng said that while Taiwanese universities are prohibited from engaging in exchanges, students can do so at their discretion, but their degrees will no longer be recognized.
