China on Thursday criticised a new plan by the United States government to revoke student visas for Chinese nationals, calling the move “political and discriminatory,” AFP reported.
The decision, announced by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, marked a tightening of visa rules and is expected to impact thousands of students from China and Hong Kong.
The announcement, made Wednesday, revealed that the US would begin “aggressively” revoking visas for Chinese students, especially those with ties to the Chinese Communist Party or who are enrolled in sensitive academic fields.
The policy is also expected to lead to more stringent vetting of future student visa applications, including increased scrutiny of applicants’ social media activity.
Beijing quickly responded with condemnation.
Foreign Ministry’s spokesperson, Mao Ning, said China had formally protested the decision, accusing Washington of “unreasonably” targeting Chinese students and undermining international academic exchange.
Mao urged the US to protect the “legitimate rights and interests” of international students.
The latest measures followed growing scrutiny from the Trump administration of foreign influence in American universities. Trump has previously attempted to limit visas for students attending elite institutions, including Harvard University, amid broader accusations that top schools harbour anti-American sentiments.
International students, particularly from China, have long formed a key financial base for US universities. In the 2023–24 academic year, China sent nearly 280,000 students to the United States, although India has recently surpassed it as the top source of foreign students.
The visa crackdown is part of a broader foreign policy shift, with Rubio also ordering embassies to halt new visa appointments pending a review of application procedures. Critics argue the new restrictions could discourage not only Chinese students but also students from other countries.
Some affected students have expressed anxiety over the uncertainty. A doctoral student from Taiwan, who planned to begin studies in California, said the suspension has caused concern, though they remain hopeful that delays will be resolved before the academic year begins.
Backlash has also emerged at Harvard, where protests and legal challenges have followed efforts by the Trump administration to cut federal research funding and impose stricter oversight on admissions.
The university has rejected allegations of bias and continues to defend its policies in court.
Agency Report
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