BEIJING — The Chinese mainland has decided to suspend allowing graduates at schools of all levels to further their study in Taiwan in 2020, the Ministry of Education said on April 9.

The decision has been made after considering the situations of COVID-19 prevention and control and the cross-Strait relations, said an official with the ministry.

For mainland students who are currently studying in Taiwan universities, they can choose to further their study on the island if they are willing to, the official said.

But the most urgent work at present, the official noted, is to remove the obstructions for mainland students' return to the island for the new semester and to safeguard their legitimate rights and interests.

Mainland universities' recruitment policies for Taiwan students remain unchanged this year, and relevant information has been posted online, the official added.