The US is reviewing Chinese student visas - "cleansing" has begun

Relations between the United States and China have once again become tense. This time, the issue has arisen around visas for Chinese students studying in the scientific field. The administration of US President Donald Trump is considering revoking visas for students affiliated with the Communist Party of the People's Republic of China (PRC) or studying in "strategic sectors," US State Department Secretary Marco Rubio said.

Visas suspended, vetting stepped up

Rubio said in a statement that vetting requirements for all visa applications from China and Hong Kong have been further tightened and that interviews for new students have been temporarily suspended. According to Politico, visa processes at US embassies and consulates are also being reviewed.

There are currently about 277,000 Chinese students studying at American universities. China ranks second in the ranking of foreign students in the US. India ranks first with 331,000 students.

What is meant by "critical areas"?

The statement did not clearly define the concept of "critical areas." However, according to The New York Times, it often refers to natural sciences, engineering, technology and military research. The reason is that in recent years, US officials have expressed concern that the Chinese government has been recruiting scientists who studied at American universities to their country, and through this, scientific information has been leaked "from the inside."

In addition, the US government has not officially explained how it determines exactly what kind of connection students have with the Chinese Communist Party.

US universities are also worried

For many years, American universities have warmly welcomed students from China - they are valued not only for their achievements in the field of education, but also for the significant income they bring to higher education institutions through tuition fees. The cancellation of student visas could negatively affect the universities' international relations and scientific research potential.

Chinese officials protest to the US

The Chinese Foreign Ministry has responded to reports that the US may cancel student visas. The official statement noted that such actions violate the rights of students who are legally studying and seriously harm the cultural and scientific exchanges between the two countries.

According to the ministry's spokesperson Mao Ning, such steps by the US may have a negative impact not only on students, but also on broader Sino-US relations.

This new dispute over student visas is being seen as the next step in a large-scale geopolitical struggle between the US and China. As young people studying in the scientific field become victims of political confrontation, educational and cultural ties between the two countries may become even more complicated.