TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council (MAC, 陸委會), the government agency overseeing relations with China, issued a stern warning Thursday (May 15) about the alleged Chinese Communist Party (CCP, 中國共產黨) influence operations targeting university campuses across the island. Officials detailed various infiltration strategies employed by Beijing and pledged to alert appropriate authorities when cross-strait academic exchanges violate established protocols.
Deputy Minister Shen Yu-chung (沈有忠) stressed safety concerns and mandatory pre-registration requirements for students considering mainland travel. Shen pointed to alternative international partnerships that could better serve Taiwan's educational diversity goals. The council reiterated its position that any exchanges between Taiwan and China must adhere to structured, transparent protocols. Taiwan's Ministry of Education (MOE, 教育部), the national education authority, has established comprehensive registration and disclosure mechanisms to safeguard students during such exchanges.
The deputy minister specifically warned against participation in "united front" activities, a term referring to Beijing's political influence operations, visits to Chinese state-controlled supply chains, and recruitment programs targeting young Taiwanese talent. Education Minister Cheng Ying-yao (鄭英耀) had previously voiced firm opposition to academic engagement with mainland institutions. While championing the value of global educational experiences, Cheng explicitly advised against China-focused academic interactions. ◼
