Taiwan universities commit to non-ideologic education for Chinese students

The controversy spawned by President Trump's unfortunate diplomatic blunder in speaking to Taiwan government officials soon after his inauguration has deep roots. Those roots are exemplified in the fact that approximately one-half of Taiwan's universities have signed pledges that Taiwanese institutions will not discuss "one China" as part of the education that mainland Chinese students encounter during their study in Taiwan. The "one China" view holds that Taiwan is part of the larger expanse of continental China.

The pledge not to discuss "one China" serves everyone - it clearly communicates that Taiwan institutions will not include ideologic indoctrination like that required in China. Pledging not to discuss the topic also results in Taiwan being able to avoid the uncomfortable conversation of the degree to which they are or are not politically Chinese, a belief strongly embraced by citizens of Taiwan who come from many different countries and cultures throughout Asia.