Beijing has criticised a recent move by the United States to revoke visas held by Chinese students, calling the measure “political and discriminatory,” according to AFP.
The policy, introduced by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, introduces stricter visa rules targeting Chinese and Hong Kong nationals, especially those linked to sensitive fields of study or alleged ties to the Chinese Communist Party. The changes are expected to affect thousands of students and will include more thorough background checks and social media monitoring for future applicants.
Responding swiftly, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning confirmed that Beijing has formally objected to the decision, accusing Washington of unjustly targeting Chinese students and threatening the integrity of global academic exchange. Mao also urged the U.S. to uphold the rights and protections of international students studying in the country.
This development comes amid a broader U.S. shift in foreign policy and growing concerns over foreign influence in American universities. The Trump administration has in the past pushed for tighter controls on foreign students, even suggesting that elite universities such as Harvard were fostering anti-American sentiment.
Despite such concerns, students from China have long represented a significant portion of the international student population in the U.S. Nearly 280,000 Chinese nationals studied in American institutions during the 2023–24 academic year, though India recently overtook China as the top sender of international students.
US Embassies pause student visas appointments
As part of the new directive, U.S. embassies have reportedly been instructed to pause new student visa appointments while a review of application protocols is conducted. Critics have warned that the policy could have a chilling effect not only on Chinese applicants but also on students from other nations.
Among those affected is a Taiwanese doctoral student who had plans to begin studies in California. The student expressed concern over the delays but remains cautiously optimistic that the situation may be resolved before the academic term begins.
Meanwhile, backlash continues to build at institutions like Harvard University, where recent actions by the Trump administration—including tighter regulations on research funding and admissions—have sparked protests and legal action. The university has rejected any claims of bias and is actively defending its admissions policies in court.
