The controversy sparked by the visit of mainland Chinese students to Taiwan arranged by the Ma Ying-jeou Foundation continues to escalate. Among the group of students was Olympic table tennis gold medalist Ma Long, who recently visited Zhongshan Girls High School and was described by Chinese netizens as entering the “Spider Cave.” The parent association of Zhongshan Girls High School issued a statement on December 4, stating that they have lodged a formal protest and rejected any political manipulation.
The Ma Ying-jeou Foundation invited 11 teachers and students from 7 universities in mainland China to visit Taiwan on November 27 for a 9-day tour, accompanied by Ma Long and Olympic shooting gold medalist Yang Qian. On December 1, during a visit to the Taichung Intercontinental Baseball Stadium, Shanghai Fudan University student Song Siyao congratulated “Chinese Taipei Team” on winning the world championship, sparking controversy over diminishing the Republic of China (Taiwan). This led to protests by Taiwanese students shouting “This is not Chinese Taipei” and a press conference titled “Campus Rejection of United Front” held at the Legislative Yuan.
Earlier on November 27, the group of mainland Chinese students, including Ma Long, visited Zhongshan Girls High School in Taipei. Chinese state media platforms such as “NetEase” and “Sohu” described Ma Long’s visit to Zhongshan Girls High School as if he had fallen into the “Spider Cave” and was frightened to the point of turning pale.
The parent association of Zhongshan Girls High School expressed deep grievances in a statement released on Facebook in response to the recent controversy surrounding the visit of mainland Chinese students. They were saddened by the harm caused to the students due to media reports and online attacks. The visit was arranged by the school based on academic, sports, and cultural exchange principles, with no media allowed on campus throughout the visit, no active interaction planned between students and mainland Chinese students, and no public promotion. However, images of the visit surfaced later, which were selectively used and distorted by some mainland Chinese media, severely tarnishing the image of the school and its students and teachers, making the situation unacceptable.
The statement outlined the parent association’s demands and stance:
1. Lodge a formal protest to the organizer Ma Ying-jeou Foundation, emphasizing that campuses and students should not be used for any form of political manipulation.
2. Take legal action against media or social platforms that improperly use student images for derogatory purposes, defending students’ rights.
3. Request the school to explain the incident and its handling, providing necessary care and psychological counseling to students.
4. When arranging similar exchange activities in the future, evaluate more carefully and establish stricter control processes to prevent similar situations from reoccurring.
The parent association of Zhongshan Girls High School pleaded for the public to stop spreading exaggerated and disparaging reports about the students and to cease verbal attacks on them. They hoped that students, teachers, and parents at Zhongshan Girls High School could learn from the incident and together protect the campus and nurture every student with a more thorough attitude.
Responding through the Taipei City Department of Education, Zhongshan Girls High School expressed concern over false statements and messages circulating on mainland Chinese social media platforms regarding their reception of the mainland Chinese university group, stating that they had caused significant harm to the school community.
Regarding reports containing discriminatory language, Zhongshan Girls High rejected such labels and formally requested the organizer to address and communicate regarding the incident. The educational exchange visit consisted of a 2-hour program introducing the school’s educational philosophy, historical sites tour, and a virtual golf session incorporating technology, with no involvement in political issues. The visit took place before exams, and the Ministry of Education had advised not to disrupt students’ schedules. The school also suspended student activities a week before exams and did not arrange for student interactions.
Emphasizing that school visits were not open to the public, Zhongshan Girls High stated they did not publicize to teachers and students, did not force student participation, did not arrange for student welcoming or media interviews, let alone remove the national flag in any absurd manner. The school mentioned they received various feedback on the educational exchange visit, some supportive and trusting, some critical and suggesting improvements, and they respected and considered different perspectives.
In today’s diverse society, Zhongshan Girls High School highlighted the importance of nurturing students’ media literacy skills, fostering independent critical thinking to objectively interpret the authenticity of media information, and avoiding the distortion caused by generalizing biases. The school urged the public and the media to express and understand events truthfully with rationality and respect, avoiding unfounded criticisms and derogatory remarks, creating a healthy and positive public discussion environment to prevent further harm and bullying of its students, teachers, and alumni by online comments.
On December 4, Xiao Xucen, executive director of the Ma Ying-jeou Foundation, led the mainland Chinese delegation to visit National Tsing Hua University in Hsinchu, where a citizen presented the flag of the Republic of China. Xiao did not accept it, stating, “This is a form of authoritarianism; you cannot demand me to make any gestures.” When asked, “Which China do you represent?” Xiao replied, “The Republic of China.”