Story perspectives

American Students Flock to Taiwan Amid China Tensions

10/29/2025

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Summary

Story summary

American students increasingly choose studying in Taiwan over mainland China, citing China's strict Zero-COVID policies and political tensions.
Enrollment in U.S. programs in China has fallen from over 10,000 a decade ago to a few hundred today, while 275,000 Chinese students study in U.S. colleges.
Advocates say academic exchanges are vital for managing U.S.–China relations and understanding Chinese society, and they urge reinstating the Fulbright Program and promoting direct dialogue.

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Story summary

American students increasingly choose studying in Taiwan over mainland China, citing China's strict Zero-COVID policies and political tensions.
Enrollment in U.S. programs in China has fallen from over 10,000 a decade ago to a few hundred today, while 275,000 Chinese students study in U.S. colleges.
Advocates say academic exchanges are vital for managing U.S.–China relations and understanding Chinese society, and they urge reinstating the Fulbright Program and promoting direct dialogue.