Is Involvement Effective? A Case Study of Exchange Programs’ Influence on Mainland Chinese Communications Major Exchange Students’ Support for Taiwan

Abstract

This study aims to explore the effectiveness of exchange programs between Taiwan and mainland China in terms of shaping participants’ support for Taiwan, given that the cross-strait relationship has reached a deadlock. Academic and social involvement, social contact, social identity, patriotism, animosity, and political familiarity were integrated into a theoretical framework. The participants, who have joined an exchange program commissioned by the Mainland Affairs Council in Taiwan, were invited. The results showed that the level of involvement can either positively influence patriotism and support for Taiwan, or negatively influence animosity, whereas patriotism can positively influence animosity. This seemingly contradicting result indicates that exchange students who went back to mainland China have developed a coping mechanism in which patriotism does not dominate their support for Taiwan. Hence, the exchange programs, to some extent, were effective in promoting support for Taiwan.