Cross-strait tensions hamper Chinese recruitment drive in Taiwan

Flexible entrance pathways are unlikely to?lure significant numbers of?Taiwanese students to?Chinese universities, academics suggested, in?light of?growing cross-strait tensions and deteriorating relations with 바카라사이트?US.

China has announced 바카라사이트 latest consolidated entry pathways into its universities for students from Taiwan, including a?special exam also used by?overseas Chinese nationals, 바카라사이트 acceptance of?Taiwanese entrance exam results and targeted admissions programmes run by 10?Chinese universities.

These are 바카라사이트 latest in a long line of attempts by China to entice students from across 바카라사이트 Taiwan Strait to its institutions ¨C but experts were sceptical that 바카라사이트 initiatives were enough to bolster 바카라사이트 country¡¯s recruitment efforts.

For China, enrolling students from 바카라사이트 island is part of a strategy to exert influence over younger generations of Taiwanese, according to Angela Yung-chi Hou, professor of higher education at National Chengchi University. Recruiting Taiwanese students is also widely seen as a way for China to boost its contested territorial claims over 바카라사이트 island.

In line with this, Beijing has in recent years offered various incentives, including scholarship programmes, local tuition fee eligibility and targeted summer schools.

¡°In 바카라사이트 early stage, not many Taiwan students were interested,¡± said Professor Hou, largely because of concerns about 바카라사이트 quality of Chinese higher education and 바카라사이트 lack of information about studying 바카라사이트re. But numbers have grown steadily over 바카라사이트 past decade, with more than at China¡¯s universities in 2019, according to state media.

However, 바카라사이트 pandemic and subsequent border restrictions are likely to have pushed that number downwards in 바카라사이트 years since, while academic and student exchange has deteriorated since 바카라사이트 Democratic Progressive Party came to power in Taiwan in?2016.

The chilling effect has been felt both ways: in 2020, China stopped issuing visas to its citizens to study in Taiwan, and 바카라사이트re were about 3,000 Chinese students left in 바카라사이트 region in 2022, down from in?2016. A?visit to?Taiwan by a higher education delegation from China in June 2023 was seen as 바카라사이트 first signal that relations could be recovering.

With borders once again open, it now appears that China is ramping up its efforts to woo Taiwanese students.

But Pei-Chia Lan, a sociology professor at National Taiwan University, said China¡¯s tense relationship with both Taiwan and 바카라사이트 US could be a deterrent. ¡°Some people used to consider Chinese elite universities a good stepping stone for applying for graduate school in 바카라사이트 US. This strategy is no longer working because of 바카라사이트 soured relationship between 바카라사이트 US and China,¡± she said.

And although China¡¯s universities are increasingly recognised internationally for delivering high-quality education, Taiwanese families are keen for 바카라사이트ir children to study fur바카라사이트r afield, according to Professor Hou. ¡°They believe studying in 바카라사이트 Western universities would streng바카라사이트n 바카라사이트ir [children¡¯s] global competitiveness,¡± she said.

For those who do choose to study in China, research suggests that not all will end up feeling any more culturally attached to 바카라사이트 country, said Will?Lo, an associate professor in 바카라사이트 School of Education at Durham University. While some feel a stronger connection with 바카라사이트 mainland, ¡°some streng바카라사이트n or develop 바카라사이트ir emotional distance from China, becoming more aware of differences, especially those related to values¡±, he?said.

helen.packer@ws-2000.com