Branches of Taiwan Academy, an institute promoting Taiwanese culture and Mandarin Chinese, are set to open in Los Angeles and Houston once the U.S. gives the green light, Overseas Compatriot Affairs Commission Minister Wu Ying-yih said April 11.
“Details such as opening dates are still being negotiated, but everything is ready to go,” Wu said.
The minister’s comments came days after a local newspaper reported the U.S. does not consider Chinese language programs that collect tuition a form of cultural exchange.
“We have notified the U.S. that fees will not be collected for such courses,” Wu stressed, adding that Taiwan has guaranteed it will provide assistance to local institutions teaching Mandarin and Taiwanese culture to prevent possible shutdowns due to overlapping functions.
Establishing Taiwan academies overseas was a campaign promise by ROC President Ma Ying-jeou, part of his overall policy of promoting Taiwan internationally.
Following on the Los Angeles and Houston branches, a Taiwan Academy will be launched in Chicago after the opening of an OCAC culture center in the city this November, Wu said.
The OCAC operates 16 such centers around the world, with four in the Asia-Pacific region, 11 in North America and one in South America’s Brazil. (THN)
Write to Grace Kuo at morningk@mail.gio.gov.tw