Some Taiwan students studying in the Chinese mainland are faced with the possibility of being thrown into jail for "retarding the military service", because their request for postponing military service is rejected by Taiwan authority who doesn't recognize the academic credentials from Chinese mainland schools.

Since diplomas issued in the Chinese mainland are not accepted in Taiwan, Taiwan students can not take their study in the Chinese mainland as an excuse for putting back their military service in the island province. Reporter from the overseas edition of People's Daily recently met with two students in trouble by the question.

"I shall be put into jail if I return (to Taiwan) now", a student surnamed Wei mentioned the matter. This sophomore in Beijing's Capital University of Medical Sciences is completely at a loss on learning that he was "sentenced three months in jail" for fleeing military service. What's worse, his "Taiwan passport" will be expired next year and he is sure to be put into jail if he returns to extend it. But if he stays in Chinese mainland he will lose his Taiwan citizenship, and have to keep himself from the island away for ten years, which is, according to Taiwan media report, the limitation period of prosecution for his offence of "fleeing military service". Wei's trouble is not a mere case in the university. His classmate surnamed Kan is also confronted with a sentence.

When asked about their view on the matter, both of them said they are unwilling to stop their studies in the mainland. "If only Taiwan could recognize your status as students!" a fellow student from Taiwan sighed.

According to Taiwan's military service law, males reaching 19 must report to related departments and accept investigation for military service, and those fleeing service will be punished. Then why there is still student who runs the risk for an unaccepted diploma?

The Taiwan economy remains slackened in recent years and many businessmen have shifted their investment into the Chinese mainland. As a result a great number of people who knows trade conditions of both sides are needed, and those born in Taiwan but graduated from universities on China's mainland have become the best choice. Besides, working in the Chinese mainland one doesn't need to worry about his diploma being accepted by Taiwan or not. What's more, competition on the Chinese mainland for some hot subjects such as medical science or finance is not as fierce as in Taiwan, that explains why a lot of medical students come to the Chinese mainland running the risk of being "sentenced". Some students also plan to get a degree from a third place, which will be accepted by the Taiwan authority.

A Taiwan reporter revealed that students from rich families are usually holders of American or Canadian passport, who do not need to worry about their delay in military services. Only those from ordinary families who only have Taiwan citizenship are troubled by the punishment.

By April 14, Taiwan media reported, eight students in the Capital University of Medical Sciences had been, or would be sentenced. Altogether 20 students from the medical department of Peking University and more from Beijing University of Chinese Medicine are faced with the same problem. It is still unknown how many Taiwan students across the Chinese mainland are landed in the trouble by the question.

Wei and Kan told reporter that officials from Taiwan's "Mainland Affairs Council" had talked with parents of eight students over the question, saying executive remedial efforts are being made on the island. But one can hardly expect any remedial measures under Taiwan's current military service regulations and the precondition that the degrees from the Chinese mainland are not accepted.

By People's Daily Online