Hong Kong (AP) – After Secretary Marco Rubio’s announcement on Wednesday, Chinese students in the US are eager to secure their future as some may face visa revocation.
The US is set to revoke visas for students in “critical fields,” particularly those with “ties to the Chinese Communist Party,” as per the new guidelines.
China ranks as the second-largest contributor of international students in the United States, trailing only India. In the 2023-2024 academic year, over 270,000 international students hailed from China, making up about a quarter of the total international student population in the US.
Rubio’s announcement was described by Rikin, a Chinese student at Johns Hopkins University who requested anonymity due to safety concerns, as “a new iteration of China’s exclusion laws.” He referenced 19th-century legislation that barred Chinese immigration to the US and denied citizenship to Chinese Americans. He admitted that it was the first time he seriously considered leaving the US, where he has spent a third of his life.
AP Audio: Chinese students express worry and anger following Rubio’s visa revocation pledge.
Associated Press Correspondent Charles de Ledesma reports that Chinese students in Beijing are apprehensive about the future of their student exchange programs.
Chinese International Students: A Tense Topic
Mao Zedong, spokesperson for China’s Foreign Ministry, criticized the US decision as irrational.
“This kind of politicized and discriminatory act exposes the lies of the US regarding its assertions of freedom and openness,” she stated on Thursday.
The issues facing Chinese students abroad have long fueled tensions in US-China relations. In 2019, during Trump’s presidency, China’s Ministry of Education cautioned students regarding US visa complexities, leading to increased rejection rates and shorter visa durations.
Last year, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that many Chinese students were unjustly questioned and sent back upon arrival at US airports.
China’s state media has often amplified the uproar surrounding US gun violence and the pandemic, depicting the US as a perilous environment for its citizens. Fractured bilateral relations have led some Chinese students to consider studying in the UK and other nations instead of the US post-pandemic.
Zou Renge, a 27-year-old Master’s student in Public Policy at the University of Chicago, had intended to spend time abroad working in humanitarian aid after graduation this year. However, she is now reconsidering her plans and focusing on domestic job opportunities, stating, “In such an uncertain environment, I’ll do my utmost to find a solution.”
Hong Kong’s Opportunities Amid the Uncertainty
John Lee, the US Hong Kong leader, assured lawmakers on Thursday that students facing discrimination from American policies would be welcomed in the city.
“Students experiencing unfair treatment can come from numerous countries outside the US, and I see this as a chance for Hong Kong,” he remarked. “We will collaborate with universities to provide the best possible support.”
This comes after a widely circulated message from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), inviting Harvard students to “continue their academic endeavors” following Trump’s announcement regarding international student admissions.
Other institutions, such as the Chinese University of Hong Kong and City University of Hong Kong, have declared they will expedite or promote applications from international students transitioning from top US universities.
Hong Kong, a former British colony that reverted to China in 1997, is a favored destination for mainland Chinese students seeking university degrees due to its international reputation and relative freedoms.
The city introduced a New Visa Scheme in 2022 in response to Beijing’s imposition of national security laws aimed at quelling dissent and mitigating the exodus of expatriates and local experts during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Wilkwon, managing director of AAS, an education consulting firm in Hong Kong, shared that his company is assisting students who received offers from US universities primarily to apply to institutions in the UK and Australia as alternative options.
Concerns Over Diversity and Impact on Development
“It’s definitely detrimental to American development to see such a decline in international exchange,” remarked Zhang Qi, a postdoctoral researcher in Beijing. “This may lead to a positive shift for China’s development, as more talented individuals may decide to remain at institutions like Tsinghua or Peking University.”
For many, the waiting game continues as they face uncertainties in their travel plans.
Chen, a Chinese student at Purdue University, anxiously awaited news on his visa approval but withheld his last name out of fear of retaliatory measures from the Trump administration. He expressed frustration, stating that this situation contradicts America’s supposed values.
“I had hoped for freedom and acceptance. The US was historically recognized for its diversity, which enabled international students to thrive; it’s disheartening to witness these changes,” he said.
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Footing reported from Washington to Bangkok by Wu. Associated Press researchers Shihuan Chen and video producer Olivia Zhang contributed to this report.
Source: apnews.com