Taiwan has banned its senior government officials from higher studies in mainland China, citing "national security" reasons.

The ban, effective Thursday, applies to officials with access to classified information, as well as ministers, mayors and country magistrates.

BBC's Cindy Sui in Taipei says there are concerns that they may inadvertently reveal information.

It comes as relations between the two sides are already strained.

Some officials choose China for further education partly because they want to build connections to generate trade and investment opportunities.