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Hong Kong Students Flee to Taiwan Amid Crackdown on Pro-Democracy Movement

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A recent surge in students from Hong Kong enrolling in colleges and universities on the democratic island of Taiwan has been observed, with a significant increase of around 28 percent since the imposition of a draconian national security law by the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) on July 1. This trend is attributed to the mass arrests of pro-democracy activists and the broader crackdown on dissent, prompting students to seek refuge in Taiwan. According to an international admissions body, some colleges are reporting nearly double the number of students from Hong Kong compared to the same time last year.

Key Takeaways:

  • The number of Hong Kong students enrolling in higher education on the island has risen by around 28 percent since the imposition of the national security law.
  • Some colleges have reported nearly double the number of students from Hong Kong compared to the same time last year.
  • An easing of restrictions in Taiwan has resulted in over 7,400 Hong Kong residents applying for residency in the country, with more than 7,400 applications received by the Taiwan Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) by December 2020.
  • Taiwan's University Entrance Committee for Overseas Chinese Students has seen an increase in applications from students, with the number of Hong Kong applicants in 2020 being at the highest point in the past five years.
  • Many Hong Kong students who graduate in Taiwan stay on the island to work and contribute to the economy and development of Taiwan.
  • An immigration consultant is dealing with increasing numbers of clients from Hong Kong seeking consultation on residency and work opportunities in Taiwan.
  • Taiwan's Ministry of Education plans to amend the rules to enable schools to recruit high-schoolers from Hong Kong.

Statistics:

  • A 28 percent increase in the number of Hong Kong students enrolling in higher education on the island.
  • Nearly double the number of students from Hong Kong reported by some colleges, compared to the same time last year.
  • Over 7,400 Hong Kong residents have applied for residency in Taiwan, with more than 7,400 applications received by the MAC by December 2020.
  • The number of Hong Kong applicants in 2020 was at the highest point in the past five years, according to Taiwan's University Entrance Committee for Overseas Chinese Students.
  • An increase in applications from students, with consultations on residency and work opportunities in Taiwan resulting in almost full appointments for immigration consultants.

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