Date: March 7, 2017
MAC Press Release No. 17
The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) stated that the freedom of teaching is an important part of democracy. The constitution clearly stipulates that academic freedom should be respected and protected and should not be restricted or infringed upon for any reason. Contact between the people of the two sides, including interaction among young students, can promote mutual understanding and is beneficial to peace and stability in cross-Strait relations. Taiwan supports the continuation of cross-Strait student and academic exchanges. However, both sides should adhere to the principles of fairness, equality, and dignity, and maintain an attitude of mutual respect. Related schools in mainland China should not make unreasonable demands on schools in Taiwan.
The Ministry of Education is currently conducting an administrative investigation into the matter of the "Letters of Understanding" signed by colleges and universities. Since the documents signed by each school differ in form and content text, time will be needed to clarify the facts and then apply the law.
The government again called on mainland China to not bring political considerations into cross-Strait student exchanges. It welcomes young students from mainland China to visit Taiwan and learn together with young students in Taiwan. It also hopes that the two sides will jointly cherish and maintain the outcomes of exchanges over the past many years.