Beijing reacted angrily on Thursday to the US government’s decision to revoke the visas of Chinese students, denouncing the move as “political and discriminatory.”
The backlash follows an announcement by President Donald Trump’s administration that it would aggressively cancel existing student visas and tighten future requirements for applicants from China and Hong Kong.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the visa revocation aims to curb the influence of individuals linked to the Chinese Communist Party or those studying sensitive fields. He also ordered a temporary suspension of new visa appointments worldwide, pending updated screening protocols—including reviews of applicants’ social media accounts.
China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning condemned the US move as unreasonable and said Beijing had lodged formal objections. “We urge the US to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of international students, including those from China,” Mao said.
The measures come amid a broader Trump administration crackdown on elite US universities. Harvard University, in particular, has drawn ire from Trump over its handling of student protests and opposition to federal oversight. The administration has paused foreign student admissions and cut federal research funding to institutions it accuses of promoting “woke” ideology.
Chinese students, who once made up the largest group of international students in the US, numbered 277,398 in the 2023–24 academic year, although India recently surpassed China for the first time, according to a State Department-backed report.
The visa restrictions could have broader consequences. Students from allied countries, including Taiwan, have reported uncertainty and delays. A Taiwanese PhD student bound for California described the situation as “deeply unsettling,” though hopeful his visa will still be processed in time.
At Harvard, concerns are mounting that the US is becoming less welcoming to international scholars. “I’m not sure I’d commit to a six-year PhD here,” said Jack, a graduating British student. “There’s just too much political risk now.”
The university has launched legal challenges to the administration’s latest restrictions. A judge is expected to rule on one of the cases Thursday, coinciding with Harvard’s commencement ceremony.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the policy shift, saying the administration is prioritizing institutions that “promote American values” and equip students with practical skills needed in the economy.
The African-American Financial Press (AFP) contributed to this report.
AFP
