British pupils are being taught that Taiwan is part of China in secondary schools.
The Mandarin Excellence Programme, in which around 8,000 British pupils in 75 state secondary schools are enrolled, was initially set up to teach British students the Chinese language, but it has now been revealed the course repeatedly suggests Taiwan belongs to China.
According to the Telegraph, one exercise for Year 8 pupils includes the question: “Where is Taiwan? Do you know Taiwan is part of China?”
Sources claim this lesson was not mandatory, and not all pupils had been taught this, however.
Another study guide says: “China has 22 provinces (23 if you choose to include Taiwan)”.
Some universities have been dragged into similar controversies in recent years. For example, the London School of Economics was embroiled in a row after unveiling a globe structure on campus, demonstrating Taiwan as a sovereign state.
It is not a view held by Taiwan itself, whose democratically elected government strongly rejects China’s stance.
In fact, military efforts have stepped up in recent months as fears grow over a potential Chinese attack.
China claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has vowed to annex it, even by force if required.
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