CCP's Job Platform Targets Taiwanese Youth; MAC Warns of Two Major Risks

Regarding the recent launch of the 'Taiwan Youth e-Home' online platform targeting Taiwanese youth, Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) Vice Chairman Shen You-Zhong stated on the 27th that the public should carefully assess the risks of personal data leakage when providing complete personal information to the Chinese Communist Party.

Shen emphasized during a pre-event media briefing ahead of the 'New Trends in China's Comprehensive Pressure on Taiwan' seminar hosted by the Asia Political, Economic, and Peace Exchange Association that while 'Taiwan Youth e-Home' claims to facilitate exchanges, study, internships, and employment for Taiwanese youth in mainland China, it may in fact serve as a tool for collecting personal data and advancing united front operations.

He pointed out that with local elections approaching this year, the platform's collection of personal data from young Taiwanese raises concerns about how such information might be used in the future. Despite the platform's stated purpose of serving Taiwanese youth by offering job and internship opportunities, Shen stressed that Taiwan offers significantly better youth employment rates, working conditions, and overall work environments compared to mainland China. Therefore, he questioned the necessity of such initiatives, suggesting they are less about genuine service and more about advancing political unification goals under the guise of economic incentives.

Shen warned that as the year-end local elections near, united front activities by the Chinese Communist Party are expected to intensify. 'Taiwan Youth e-Home' may be just one example, with more methods likely to emerge that use economic benefits or targeted incentives to attract specific groups in Taiwan. The government will continue to closely monitor these developments.

On another note, the Ministry of Education recently found Tamkang University and Tunghai University in violation of cross-strait exchange regulations, resulting in a NT$300,000 reduction in subsidies for each. Several other private universities are still under investigation. The Ministry explained that Tamkang University violated the principles of reciprocity and dignity in its exchange activities, while Tunghai University assisted in publicizing mainland events without proper registration. Cross-strait educational exchanges must adhere to rational, equal, mutually beneficial, and dignity-preserving principles, and must not involve political objectives.

Shen reiterated that universities planning exchanges to mainland China during summer break must still comply with government regulations. While individual cases remain under investigation by the Ministry of Education, and thus he refrained from commenting, the MAC will continue close communication with the Ministry throughout the process.