Taiwan banned officials from studying in China

Taiwan on 30 October 2014 banned its government officials from higher studies in mainland China for national security reasons. The ban is applied on the officials who have an access to classified information as well as ministers, mayors and country magistrates. The decision was made in backdrop of strained relations between the two sides.

As per reports, Taiwan is concerned that confidential information available to high-level government officials might be leaked in theses and research papers. This ban was implemented in accordance to the revised regulations in view of national security.

 According to the National Immigration Agency (NIA) the ban applies to senior civil servants and officials whose work is related to national security, ministers without portfolio, heads of cities and counties, heads of Taiwan's special municipalities, personnel from the National Security Bureau and the Ministry of National Defense.

It also applies on the Investigation Bureau under the Ministry of Justice that has no civil servant status, and individuals or private groups who are commissioned to engage in work regarding national secrets. But this ban doesn’t restrict junior civil servants.

Comment
The relations between the two countries have strayed in previous few years, some incidents that occurred in 2014 exemplifies the strained relations include
• Protests that broke out in Taiwan over a trade deal with China
• In March 2014, student protesters occupied the parliament building
• In October 2014, Taiwan's President Ma Ying-jeou voiced support for Hong Kong's pro-democracy movement, which angered Chinese officials

Apart from this, Beijing claims Taiwan as a province of China and hopes reunification of Taiwan with China at some point.