Speaking at a news conference, Tsai said the government should take this factor seriously into account when putting forth the policy, as it could deal a heavy blow to the local unemployment situation.

She issued the warning a day after Education Minister Wu Ching-chi said his ministry is initially planning to recognize diplomas issued by 41 Chinese universities and to allow Chinese college students and graduate students to study in Taiwan from June next year.

In response to Tsai's criticism, Ministry of Examination Minister Yang Chao-shiang stressed Wednesday that Chinese students graduating from Taiwanese universities will not be able to take part in state examinations for civic servants or tests to get professional certification.

Only Taiwanese citizens with ROC nationality are eligible to participate in these two examinations, he noted.

DPP lawmaker Ker Chien-ming said in a legislative committee meeting the same day that his party objects to the policy out of concern that it might affect the working rights of Taiwan's people and he urged the Examination Ministry to carefully monitor the issue.

(By K.S. Wen and Flor Wang)