Taiwan teachers, students experience mainland's ancient exam system

A group of about 30 university teachers and students from Taiwan are currently visiting the Chinese mainland, exploring the ancient Chinese examination system to experience Chinese history and culture.

The eight-day activity, scheduled to conclude on Wednesday, will lead them to the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, following the route taken by Chiu Feng-chia, a Taiwan talent who achieved high score in the examination during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).

Yuan Haipeng, an official from the Beijing Federation of Taiwan Compatriots that organized the trip, said it's hoped that the students could gain an understanding of the profound traditional culture and witness the developmental achievements of mainland.

On Friday, the group visited the Dingzhou Examination Hall in Hebei province, the site where examinations were held in ancient times. At the venue, they dressed in ancient scholar robes and, under the supervision of examiners, experienced the imitated process of scholars rushing to take the exam in ancient times.

Yang Chien-ying, an art major student from Tsing Hua University in Taiwan, said that wearing the ancient robes and personally experiencing the ancient examination scene left a deep impression on her.

"It's my first time on the mainland, and I didn't realize how vast and culturally rich it is. It's truly spectacular," she said.

Chang Li-hsin said that using a brush during the simulated exam made him feel special, as if he had traveled back to the past, and he even passed and achieved good results in the simulation.

Graduating from high school in Taiwan, Chang is waiting for university enrollment. "I wish to continue the streak of good luck here and get into a good university," he said.

Chang Shih-yuen, an environmental engineering researcher from Taiwan, said he was impressed by the impactful measures taken by the Qing Dynasty to encourage Taiwan students to participate in the exams, including sending ships to bring them over.

"I understand that in the past, serving the country or fulfilling dreams was not easy for students. Nowadays, everyone has different paths, and individuals from various fields can achieve top honors as long as they work hard. Everyone has a chance," he said.

Wu Kun-tsai, a history professor at Chiayi University in Taiwan, said the examination system was important for Taiwan, as it helped the island integrate into the Chinese cultural sphere, connected Taiwan and the mainland, and fostered its social development.

Wu said that the introduction of the ancient examination system in Taiwan's history curriculum is almost non-existent due to the Taiwan Democratic Progressive Party's promotion of de-sinicization to cut the ties with the mainland.

"This experience has provided a great inspiration for my students. They can follow in the footsteps of their ancestors and shine brightly in the mainland," he said.

Established in 2018, this activity has held three sessions, with over 70 participants from 10 universities in Taiwan, including 60 percent of students who were visiting the mainland for the first time. The activity has covered various locations including Fuzhou in Fujian province, Guangzhou, Meizhou, and Shantou in Guangdong province.