China using American universities for research? US State Department's statement hits a snag!

On May 29, Reuters reported that US State Department spokesperson Tami Bruess said that the US would not tolerate China "using" American universities to illegally obtain US research results and intellectual property. Bruess refused to disclose how many Chinese students' visas would be affected by the withdrawal plan and also refused to detail how threats would be determined.

However, just the next day, US Federal Judge Allison Burroughs immediately ordered the government to indefinitely maintain Harvard University's student visa program, delivering a major blow to the State Department's policy. This policy targets China's large group of international students in the US. In the 2023-2024 academic year, over 270,000 Chinese students were enrolled in US institutions, accounting for nearly a quarter of all international students and making China the largest source of international students.

International students contribute more than $50 billion annually to the US economy, with Chinese students leading in contributions. Many US universities' specialized research programs and financial revenue heavily rely on Chinese students. Judge Burroughs clearly stated that she "wants to maintain the status quo," allowing Harvard University to continue accepting international students with visas. She has instructed Harvard lawyers and Justice Department lawyers to reach an agreement to suspend the revocation of student visas.

This academic blockade by the former administration may ultimately accelerate the shift of international talent to destinations such as the UK, Australia, and Singapore. With rapid development in science and technology, digital economy, artificial intelligence, and other fields in China, over 65% of returnees believe that domestic career development opportunities are better. To put it simply, if the lights go out in American university campuses, they might be hard to relight. This could be a significant turning point.

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1833509226819584/

Disclaimer: The article solely represents the views of the author.