China has called on the United States to safeguard academic exchanges following the Trump administration's decision to suspend all new student and exchange visitor visa appointments at US embassies and consulates worldwide.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning emphasized the importance of preserving educational cooperation, stating, "We urge the US to effectively safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of all international students, including Chinese students overseas," and underscored that "normal education cooperation and academic exchanges should not be disrupted."
This statement comes as US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced enhanced scrutiny for visa applications from Chinese students, particularly those with alleged ties to the Chinese Communist Party or enrolled in sensitive fields. The move reflects the US government's intention to heighten national security measures by limiting foreign student admissions.
In fiscal year 2024, over 400,000 student visas were issued under this category, making the freeze a potential disruptor to both international student influx and the revenue streams of many US universities that rely heavily on foreign tuition fees. President Donald Trump has further proposed capping international student enrollment at 15 percent of the student body to mitigate perceived security risks.
Relations between Washington and Beijing have already contributed to a 4 percent decrease in Chinese student enrollments in the US for 2024. The FBI has expressed concerns over potential exploitation of American universities' open academic environments by Chinese entities.
According to the US State Department, 277,398 Chinese students enrolled in American institutions in 2024, ranking China as the second-largest source of foreign students after India. The Institute of International Education reports that over 1.1 million international students studied in the US during the 2023-24 academic year, accounting for nearly 6 percent of total higher education enrollment, with close to half originating from China and India.
In addition to student visa restrictions, Secretary Rubio has introduced visa limitations targeting foreign officials and individuals involved in censoring Americans, particularly those actions affecting US technology companies. Thousands of visas have already been revoked under these policies, underscoring the administration's stance that visa access is a privilege contingent on compliance with US interests.
