Beijing: China has lodged a formal protest against the United States following an announcement by Secretary of State Marco Rubio that the US will aggressively revoke visas of Chinese students enrolled in American universities.
Beijing’s foreign ministry condemned the move, describing it as discriminatory and politically motivated. Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said the measure seriously infringes upon the rights of Chinese students and disrupts normal cultural and academic exchanges between the two countries.
Mao stated that, “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. It has further damaged the US’s own international image, national image, and credibility.”
Rubio’s declaration outlined plans to increase visa scrutiny for students from China and Hong Kong, particularly those with perceived links to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in sensitive fields. He stated that revised criteria would be implemented for all future visa applicants from China and Hong Kong.
The U.S. must protect the lawful rights and interests of international students from all countries, including China. pic.twitter.com/70ct6Xdo3c
— Mao Ning 毛宁 (@SpoxCHN_MaoNing) May 28, 2025
The announcement follows a temporary global suspension of student visa appointments by the State Department, drawing criticism from Beijing. The crackdown also comes with escalating tensions between the Trump administration and prominent academic institutions, particularly Harvard University.
Trump has accused Harvard of being a stronghold of liberal ideology and antisemitism, fueling his administration’s decision to halt federal research funding to the school and other elite universities. Harvard has launched a series of legal challenges in response.
Chinese students have historically made up one of the largest international student populations in the US, with 277,398 Chinese nationals enrolled in the 2023–24 academic year, according to the Institute of International Education. However, India recently surpassed China in international student numbers for the first time in years.
Rubio’s sweeping order includes halting student and exchange visa appointments until further notice, with a directive to enhance scrutiny of applicants’ social media activity. Critics warn the policy could have far-reaching consequences for international students, including those from US-allied countries.
The White House’s broader campaign against perceived foreign influence in US academia continues to draw backlash, as universities and global education advocates warn of the long-term damage to America’s academic reputation and its ability to attract top talent from around the world.
A judge has temporarily blocked the Trump administration’s latest order to ban foreign students, with a court hearing scheduled on the same day as Harvard’s graduation ceremony in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Thousands of students and their families have gathered for the event with legal uncertainty and diplomatic friction.
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