US visa crackdown on Chinese students sparks diplomatic row
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning expressed "strong" opposition to the "unfounded" decision of US authorities, announced by US Secretary of State Marc Rubio, regarding the "aggressive" revocation of visas for Chinese students. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China lodged an "official protest" in Washington in relation to this issue.
During a press briefing, Mao emphasised that the US administration uses "ideology and national security issues as a pretext" for invalidating visas without grounds. She added that these actions "seriously damaged the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese students and disrupted the normal cultural exchanges between the two countries."
This political and discriminatory practice of the US has exposed the lies of the so-called freedom and openness that the US has always advertised, and further damaged the US’s own international image, national image and national credibility, Mao highlighted.
On Wednesday, Rubio announced that the United States will "aggressively" revoke visas for Chinese students, primarily those linked to the Communist Party of China or studying in "sensitive fields."
The US Secretary of State also announced strengthened scrutiny of future visa applications from individuals in China due to suspicions of ties with intelligence services.
During the 2023/2024 academic year, over 277,000 Chinese students were studying in the US. They represent the second-largest group of international students at American universities, following Indian nationals.
