BEIJING, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- A mainland official Wednesday called on Taiwan authorities to treat mainland students enrolled in colleges on the island equally.

Fan Liqing, spokeswoman for the State Council's Taiwan Affairs Office, said at a press conference that Taiwan authorities should eliminate regulations that discriminate against mainland students.

She also called on the island to protect the rights and interests of mainland students studying in the island's colleges.

Taiwan authorities recognize the academic qualifications of only a limited number of mainland universities.

"The mainland has 2,035 colleges and universities but Taiwan authorities only recognizes 41 of them," Fan said. "Obviously that is too few."

The mainland recognizes diplomas issued by all 164 universities and colleges in Taiwan.

The island will begin enrolling mainland students in its colleges in September.

According to Taiwan law, mainland students are not permitted to join Taiwan's health care system and must purchase commercial medical insurance.

Moreover, they are not provided with scholarships.

Additionally, the island's educational authorities said the number of mainland students may only account for 1 percent of all freshmen in Taiwan universities.

Taiwan students studying at mainland universities pay the same tuition and boarding fees as their mainland peers. They also receive 7 million yuan (1.03 million U.S. dollars) in scholarships each year.

The mainland has recognized Taiwan college diplomas for a long time and welcomes more Taiwan students coming to the mainland to study and do research, she said.

The restrictions on mainland students do not promote cross-Strait educational exchange and cooperation, Fan said.