The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) convened its 151st Council Meeting today (27th), where the National Science Council (NSC) submitted its “Assessment Report on the Policy of Cross-Strait Scientific and Technological Exchanges.” Based on the figures and analyses of the NSC, there are at present an average of 130 visits by scientific and technological professionals from the Mainland Area who come to Taiwan every year to teach and do research on a short-or long-term basis. Among these, those engaged in academic exchanges in basic science form the largest group, most of whom are doing postdoctoral research. The academic symposia on science and technology conducted on both sides of the Strait number approximately 40. Moreover, the annual number of Taiwanese scholars visiting the Mainland Area to engage in short-term research has reached 120 man/trips, among which those engaged in research on humanities and social science form the largest group. In addition, after going through review procedures by the NSC, the number of approved visits by people from the Mainland Area to Taiwan every year to engage in scientific and technological research activities is approximately 1,000.
With regard to the present invitations extended to Mainland scientific and technological talents to visit Taiwan, the Government will in the short term increase the related incentives, to recruit the most suitable high-tech talents to work in Taiwan. In the long run, the Government still needs to reinforce its own academic status, build an excellent research environment, vigorously cultivate local high-tech talents, make adjustments in the related industries and in educational strategies, and solve the present problem of talent shortage.
Generally speaking, cross-Strait academic exchanges in science and technology are considerably frequent. In the academic field, the Government has taken an open stance. Under the considerations of national security and competitiveness, there is still a need to take relative management measures within a necessary scope. In the future, the Government will continue to promote the establishment of a mechanism of mutual trust in institutionalized cross-Strait exchanges in science and technology, as well as of accompanying measures, to achieve the goal of mutual benefit and a win-win situation.