Joint Statement Released by Dong Zong and Jiao Zong

May 14, 2020

In response to the news pointing out that “UEC holders will no longer enjoy the exemption of Chinese Proficiency Test (HSK) for admission to universities in China” reported on Chinese media, Dong Jiao Zong hereby releases its statement as follows:

1. The Malaysia Independent Chinese Secondary Schools provide mother tongue education; Chinese is their main medium of instruction and their students sit for the UEC (Unified Examination for Independent Chinese Secondary Schools). In 2004, the Culture Department of the China Embassy in Malaysia issued a written notice from the Ministry of Education of China stating the exemption of UEC holders from taking HSK prior to tertiary admission. As such, since 2004, UEC holders have been admitted to universities in China smoothly without sitting for HSK and it in actual fact encourages UEC holders to further their studies in China.
2. During the second half of last year, a handful of UEC holders studying in China informed that a minor number of universities in China demanded HSK from UEC holders. Immediate remedied work, including communicating the relevant universities and China Embassy in Malaysia, was embarked by Dong Jiao Zong and relevant materials were submitted for clarification. It was acknowledged that the China Embassy had rendered their support and addressed the issue proactively.
3. Dong Jiao Zong recently received a letter dated May 13 “in regards to the Exemption of HSK for Admission to Universities” from the Culture Department of the China Embassy addressing to all universities and higher education institutions in China. In the letter, 63 schools were listed, namely, the sixty MICSSs and two branches and the UEC-sitting SM Chung Hwa Kuantan. It stated students from the listed schools can use the duplicate copy of that legalisation letter to request for exemption of HSK and they can get admission with merely the UEC certificate. Further, the letter likewise reconfirmed the ongoing execution of the notice “Regarding Conditional Exemption of the HSK for Foreign Students” issued by the International Cooperation and Interaction Bureau of the China Ministry of Education in year 2004. Acknowledgement is herewith due to the Culture Department of the China Embassy in Malaysia for its proactive assistance and facilitation.