Today, Taiwanese Minister of Education Zheng Ying-yao pointed out that it is known that China’s Overseas Chinese University, Jinan University in Guangzhou, and Beijing Chinese Language College are all under the control of the Chinese Communist United Front Work Department. Taiwan’s domestic universities will be prohibited from cooperating or exchanging with them, and the Ministry of Education will not recognize the academic credentials of these institutions in the future.
The “National Conference of Presidents of Higher Education Institutions 2025” was held on the 20th and 21st at National Ilan University under the theme of “Interdisciplinary Autonomy, Diversified Linkages.” Over 150 presidents of public and private universities from all over Taiwan gathered together to focus on key issues such as talent cultivation in higher education, research application, campus sustainability, and cooperation with enterprises, outlining a new vision for higher education in Taiwan.
During his speech at the conference, Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te emphasized the continuous united front work, infiltration, and information warfare by the Chinese Communist Party. He mentioned the establishment of the “National Resilience Committee for Whole-of-Society Defense” at the Presidential Office to enhance the national defense awareness and protect the country’s core key technologies and research results when engaging in exchanges with the CCP. President Lai expressed the importance of safeguarding democracy, maintaining Taiwan’s international competitiveness, and ensuring national security.
President Lai stressed the need for higher education to strengthen its diverse development and interdisciplinary collaboration in the face of technological changes and global competition. He encouraged university presidents to invest in the future generation, nurture competitive talents, grasp global trends and diversified connections, and build an international brand for education in Taiwan.
Minister of Education Zheng Ying-yao presented the topic of “Challenges and Breakthroughs in University Governance,” proposing five governance values including capital expenditure, talent investment, distinctive competitiveness, collective vision building, and risk-taking. He also highlighted four opportunities: expanding student sources, enhancing international reputation, creating an internationalized campus, and establishing flexible organizations. Through cooperation, quality education, and innovative characteristics, he aimed to address the challenges of declining birth rates, insufficient competition, and exit risks.
Prior to the conference, Minister Zheng Ying-yao stated in a media interview that three universities in mainland China are directly under the United Front Work Department. While the Ministry of Education initially encourages young people to have more opportunities to study abroad and explore the world, academic collaboration with institutions serving other political purposes should not be encouraged in the field of education as intended by the Ministry.
Minister Zheng Ying-yao emphasized that universities like Overseas Chinese University, Jinan University in Guangzhou, and Beijing Chinese Language College are affiliated with the United Front Work Department of the CCP, focusing on political goals rather than academic pursuits. Therefore, academic research collaborations and exchanges between Taiwan’s domestic universities and these institutions should be prohibited and restricted.
The Ministry of Education stated that any violation of regulations by domestic schools must be held accountable, and the National Institute of Education Administration will also promote awareness at the high school level and issue reminders to principals and teachers. As there are around 2,100 young Taiwanese studying at these universities in mainland China, the Ministry of Education will not recognize their academic credentials in the future.
Regarding students already studying at these institutions, Minister Zheng Ying-yao mentioned that while the formal announcement of the ban is pending, the Ministry will discuss relevant relief procedures during this transitional period for those who were unaware of the situation and enrolled in these three universities in mainland China.
The Ministry of Education of Taiwan announced that the activities on the 21st will feature a keynote speech by President Liao Chun-chih of the Academia Sinica on “How to Improve Research and Development to Address Talent Needs,” aiming to inject new vitality into Taiwan’s research, attract talents, and achieve new heights. Following that, Deputy Minister of Education Yeh Ping-cheng will present on “The Blueprint and Advancement of New Era Universities,” elucidating the importance of innovative governance, collaborative development among industry, government, academia, and research for the future development of universities.