A group of Taiwanese students who have studied medicine and obtained academic credentials in China, along with their parents, argued for fairness Thursday at a hearing on the government's plans to recognize academic credentials earned in China. They voiced perplexity over the government's plans not to recognize medical credentials earned in China but to recognize other credentials issued by Chinese universities in other fields. Wu Pei-hsuan, a graduate of Peking University's medical school, said she had hoped to return to Taiwan to work at a local hospital, but her plan was stymied when she heard that her qualification would not be recognized here. 'I was forced to head instead to Australia to find a job, ' Wu said at the hearing. Thursday's hearing, held in the southern port city of Kaohsiung, was the first of 17 that the Ministry of Education (MOE) has scheduled until Dec. 23 to probe public opinion on the ministry's recent decision to recognize academic credentials issued by 41 top-notch universities in China and Taiwan's opening to Chinese students seeking to study in Taiwan. Lin Yun-ying, whose son is studying medicine in China, said her son would prefer to return to Taiwan to work upon graduation, but the MOE's plan has blunted his desire to return home. 'Why such unfairness?' Lin asked. Other parents who attended the hearing also expressed confusion, arguing why Taiwanese students who study medicine in Poland and the Philippines can take national medical examinations after returning to Taiwan, but those who have earned diplomas in Chinese medical schools are not given such an opportunity. However, Ho Jow-fei, director of the MOE's Department of Higher Education, did not answer their questions, saying instead that the recognition of academic credentials issued by Chinese medical schools is a matter that falls under the jurisdiction of the Cabinet-level Department of Health. 'I will refer your opinions to the inter-agency meetings at the Executive Yuan for further debate,' Ho told the appellants. Meanwhile, Chao Tien-lin, a Kaohsiung city councilor representing the opposition Democratic Progressive Party, said at the hearing that it would be 'unclear and toothless' if the MOE stipulates only that Chinese will be barred from taking part in Taiwan's professional and civil service examinations because 'they are neither Republic of China citizens nor foreign nationals.' Chao suggested that the government make it clear in black and white that no Chinese students or citizens will be allowed to sit tests in Taiwan for professional licenses and civil service credentials. 