WASHINGTON (AP) – The academic connections between the US and China, already strained by tariffs and political disputes, now face a significant challenge as the Trump administration vows to cancel visas and enhance future screenings for an unspecified number of Chinese students.
In a concise statement on Wednesday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared that the US would “actively” revoke visas for Chinese students, particularly targeting those affiliated with Chinese community parties and studying in “sensitive areas.”
Rubio’s remarks raised concerns about fractures in US-China relations, reflecting a long-standing Republican agenda aimed at diminishing Chinese influence and insulating American research from formidable economic and military rivals.
His announcement left many Chinese students unsettled and prompted swift critiques from the Chinese government and several US lawmakers. The US is home to over 275,000 Chinese students, leading to concerns among universities that rely on their tuition.
Kesong Cao, a 26-year-old Chinese graduate student, has opted to forsake his research opportunities in the US due to Trump’s policies.
“We no longer feel welcome,” stated Cao, a cognitive psychology student at the University of Wisconsin, as he awaited a flight to China at Seattle airport on Thursday.
Cao, who dedicated eight years to his studies in the US and aspired to continue as a professor, lamented, “That dream appears to be fading. It’s time to return home and consider what I can contribute there.”
The extent of the visa restrictions is still unclear, and there hasn’t been clarification on what constitutes ties to the Communist Party. However, if the government begins targeting students associated with party members, the ramifications could be substantial, warned Sang Yun, director of the China program at the Washington-based Stimson Center.
Longstanding Academic Relations with China
For decades, US academic leaders have strived to counter the increasing hostility towards Chinese students and researchers, arguing that the benefits of collaboration far exceed the risks. National partnerships have yielded tens of thousands of scientific papers annually, driving progress in fields ranging from earthquake forecasting to healthcare advancements.
The academic alliance has been fostered since the re-establishment of diplomatic ties in the 1970s. Chinese researchers often stand as the most frequent international co-authors of journal articles alongside US researchers in science and engineering.
Any action that discourages the US from welcoming the world’s brightest minds is undoubtedly a “poor decision,” *Donald Trump* remarked during his first term.
“This administration will be historically noted for initiating a decline in the US by failing to grasp the importance of science and technology and recognizing the value of integrating the most talented individuals globally to foster a prosperous nation,” Reif stated to the Associated Press.
Erikachan, a December graduate from George Washington University currently awaiting a green card approval, described the new policy as “terrifying.”
“This is racism; any division based on identity and nationality is racism,” Zhang expressed. “It’s just the start and may extend to a wider group of Chinese individuals, not limited to Chinese students.”
During his presidency, Trump reduced visa durations for Chinese graduate students from five years to one and imposed a ban on those attending schools affiliated with the People’s Liberation Army.
Recently, the administration has taken drastic steps against international students, including revoking legal status for thousands of foreign students this spring and reversing itself on a prior decision. The government is also poised to block Harvard, with a judge temporarily halting registration for students.
David Lampton, a political scientist at Johns Hopkins University, fears that the US may lose its talent pool. “American universities and society have traditionally depended on the unique expertise of the world’s brightest minds,” he said.
Conversely, critics claim this is a lopsided relationship that predominantly benefits China.
Concerns Over National Security
State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce informed reporters on Thursday that the US would not permit the Chinese Communist Party to “exploit American universities or seize US research, intellectual property, or technology, thereby enhancing military power and gathering intelligence.”
A House Republican report released last year indicated that hundreds of millions in federal research funding ultimately aided China’s advancements in artificial intelligence, semiconductor technology, and nuclear weaponry. The report characterized China’s academic cooperation as a “trojan horse for technology transfer” and accused them of “insider” exploitation of educational collaboration.
At least three American institutions have ceased their partnerships in China, including the University of Michigan and Georgia Tech. Eastern Michigan University was the latest to terminate its collaboration hours before Rubio’s statement.
Critics also note the disparity in student exchanges — only a few hundred US students study abroad in China compared to approximately 370,000 Chinese students in the US in 2018. In 2023, *Xi Jinping* launched a campaign inviting 50,000 young Americans to visit China through exchange and learning programs.
American universities themselves have come to rely on Chinese students. Even as numbers level off, Chinese students remain the second-largest group of international students in the US, trailing only Indian students. Foreign students typically pay higher tuition fees, which help fund education for American students.
Gary Locke, former US ambassador to China, asserted that the visa policy is likely to have a “reverse and profound effect” on US higher education, research institutions, scientific innovations, and startups.
“The real issue isn’t merely about visa numbers; it’s also about how it will alter the competitive landscape for American talent, innovation, and economic growth,” Locke, chair of the committee for Chinese-Americans, stated.
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Jocelyn Gecker of San Francisco, Matthew Lee, Fu Ting of Washington, and Terry Tang of Phoenix contributed to this report.
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Source: apnews.com