Accused of praising China and poor teaching, legislator Weng Hsiao-ling retorts: 'Give me your name'

Nationalist Party legislator Weng Hsiao-ling is under fire following accusations from former students of Tsinghua University, where she holds a position as an associate professor. Online discussions, particularly on platforms like Threads, have seen numerous alumni share critical perspectives on her teaching methods and content.

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If China has good aspects, why can't we talk about their advantages? Former U.S. President Trump also said that China's technology is very good. If Trump can praise it, why should a Taiwanese scholar be questioned for saying a few good words? This is ignorance.

Alumni have described Weng's classes as easy to pass but lacking in substantive learning. They allege that her lecture materials were often perfunctory and that her classes frequently veered into praising the Nationalist Party and China. Some students reportedly found her teaching so unsatisfactory that they engaged in arguments with her during class. One anonymous post detailed how students were confused by her lectures, with one student reportedly saying, "I don't know what kind of bullshit she's teaching."

When questioned about these allegations, Weng Hsiao-ling responded defensively, asserting that she teaches with an open mind. She questioned why praising positive aspects of China should be controversial, drawing a parallel to comments made by former U.S. President Donald Trump about China's technology. "If China has good aspects, why can't we talk about their advantages?" she asked. Weng challenged the accusers, demanding they reveal their names so she could investigate their academic performance. She characterized the online criticism as "strange" and potentially fabricated by individuals who may not have even been her students.

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Please tell me the name of this student who said I was praising China, and I will check their academic performance.

Weng maintained that she is a diligent legislator and a serious educator, never compromising on her teaching. She dismissed the online claims as rumors and slander from unnamed students. The controversy highlights a tension between academic freedom, national identity, and political discourse within Taiwanese universities.

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I have always taught with a very open mind. Students don't need to say that I am always praising China. If China has good aspects, why can't we talk about their advantages?