Print

Mail

wiki links

Ma urges nation to accept university degrees from China

Taipei Mayor Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) reportedly said yesterday that recognizing degrees from Chinese educational institutions is a matter of loving Taiwan and showing concern for the nation's long-term interests.

Ma said that when trying to determine whether something is done out of love for the country or in an attempt at harming it, one must look at whether the policies are beneficial or detrimental and should not resort to formalistic ideological bickering.

Ma was quoted as saying that the nation should open up the three direct links to China and recognize Chinese degrees instead of closing itself off for the smallest issues, adding that such behavior would only be negative.

Ma went on to ask rhetorically what would be wrong if in the future the chairman of the Mainland Affairs Council held a degree from China's Beijing University (北京大學) or the People's University (人民大學), while the director of China's Taiwan Affairs Office held a degree from National Taiwan University (台灣大學) or Tsinghua University (清華大學), since that only would serve to increase mutual understanding and decrease tension.

Ma also used the US as an example, saying that many Taiwanese ministers hold degrees from US universities, while many members of the US National Security Council have studied Chinese in Taiwan. He said this example explained why acceptance of Chinese degrees means loving Taiwan and showing concern for the nation's long-term interests.

According to local Chinese-language media, domestic universities yesterday reacted with concern, because 87 percent of students taking the university exams already are enrolled in Taiwanese universities.

This indicates that many universities will soon face a shortage of students, and recognition of Chinese degrees would increase competition for students.

Other educators said the quality of Chinese educational institutions is uneven, and because there are many reports of forged Chinese degrees, recognition of such degrees would be negative for Taiwan.

It was also reported that the Ministry of Education responded by saying that recognition of Chinese degrees is a question that should be solved in accordance with overall national policy.

The ministry said that if bilateral negotiations between Taiwan and China are held within the WTO framework, such negotiations should be held on the premise of mutual equality. It also said that the enrollment slump facing domestic universities should be considered before Chinese degrees could be accepted.

Some legislators focusing on educational issues were reported as saying that Chinese education often involves political ideology and national identification issues, as the educational materials for children of Taiwanese businesspeople in China are subjected to political revision.

The legislators said that it would probably be detrimental, not beneficial, to the nation if civil servants were exposed to Chinese political education.
This story has been viewed 3481 times.