Taiwan bans citizens from working for China’s Confucius Institutes

台灣禁止民眾為中國孔子學院工作

Ban extension covers Chinese groups affecting Taiwan's national security


TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – A ban on Taiwanese working for Chinese political, military, and party bodies has been extended to include the Confucius Institute, the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) said Thursday (May 2).

While on the surface designed to promote Chinese culture around the world, some of the more than 500 institutes have come under scrutiny for spreading Chinese government propaganda and for spying on Chinese students overseas. In its decision, MAC said the ban covered all Chinese organizations affecting national identity and loyalty, and threatening national security.

Groups mentioned also included the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS), China’s semi-official body in charge of contacts with Taiwan, per Radio Taiwan International (RTI). MAC also named the All-China Federation of Taiwan Compatriots and the All-China Youth Federation.

The amendments were said to be the result of recent structural changes in China, while Taiwan’s regulations have remained unchanged since 2003.

MAC concluded by pointing at the differences between the two countries’ political systems. Taiwanese taking up work in China must now evaluate the risks and avoid functions that would harm Taiwan’s interests and national security.