As much as I respect and admire the progress the DPP has made the party’s contributions to Taiwan, I am often confused by some of their xenophobic and seemingly very undemocratic stands on issues. If Chinese students in Taiwan were allowed to work, I would entirely agree with the DPP’s stand against allowing such students. But their argument that Chinese students in Taiwan may adversely affect the job market is ludicrous, and it just makes them appear, well, stupid. That’s unfortunate. Taiwan needs intelligent, sophisticated political parties, not frightened schoolchildren pretending to be leaders.
Allowing Chinese students to study in Taiwan will have exactly the opposite affect on the job market that the DPP claims; it will bring money into Taiwan and boost the job market. I don’t think I need to point out how student enrollment in Taiwan universities is plummeting, with the foreseen result of the loss of thousands of jobs in higher education. And what of all the eateries and shops that depend on students?
But there’s a much better reason to allow Chinese students to study in Taiwan. We need the young people on both sides of the Strait to get to know each other. The leaders of both main parties in Taiwan are just as hopeless as those in China. The only hope is that future generations will find common ground on which to settle differences.
I have Chinese students in my classes and they are a wonderful, constructive, stimulating addition to our community of learners. I wish politicians would stop this counter-productive fear mongering and, as the saying goes, give peace a chance. One cannot have peace in a climate of fear, and fear is largely fear of the unknown. Let’s let these kids get to know each other.
DPP opposed to Taiwan’s opening to students from China – The China Post
DPP opposed to Taiwan’s opening to students from China
TAIPEI, Taiwan — Opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen voiced opposition Wednesday to a Ministry of Education plan to open Taiwan to Chinese students, citing concern over a possible impact on the local job market.Speaking at a news conference, Tsai said the government should take this factor seriously into account when putting forth the policy, as it could deal a heavy blow to the local unemployment situation.
She issued the warning a day after Education Minister Wu Ching-chi said his ministry is initially planning to recognize diplomas issued by 41 Chinese universities and to allow Chinese college students and graduate students to study in Taiwan from June next year.
In response to Tsai’s criticism, Ministry of Examination Minister Yang Chao-shiang stressed Wednesday that Chinese students graduating from Taiwanese universities will not be able to take part in state examinations for civic servants or tests to get professional certification.
Only Taiwanese citizens with ROC nationality are eligible to participate in these two examinations, he noted.
DPP lawmaker Ker Chien-ming said in a legislative committee meeting the same day that his party objects to the policy out of concern that it might affect the working rights of Taiwan’s people and he urged the Examination Ministry to carefully monitor the issue.
