[Source/Observer Network by Ruan Jiaqi]

The U.S. President Trump, who has been "sharpening his knife" on Chinese student visas, suddenly changed his tune on the 12th of this week, saying that the U.S. welcomes Chinese students to study in America and he approves of Chinese students staying in the U.S. and being hired by American companies. However, some observers believe that given Trump's policy priorities and the strong consensus between the two U.S. parties regarding China, strict scrutiny and selective restrictions on Chinese students in sensitive STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) fields will likely continue.

On June 14th, the Hong Kong media "South China Morning Post" cited analysis indicating that these series of U.S. policies towards China may cause long-term harmful consequences. Taking a "backhanded approach" at Chinese students and scholars could eventually deplete the innovation power of the U.S., damage its international reputation in education and research, and even lead to talent loss in cutting-edge industries such as artificial intelligence (AI).

These counterproductive restrictive measures may also become a key driving force catalyzing China's rise as a new global hub for education, research, and investment.

Dennis Simon, a visiting professor at Duke University’s Asia-Pacific Research Institute, expressed concern to the Hong Kong media about this move by the U.S. side, which might challenge the U.S. dominance in key industries. He emphasized that international students make significant contributions to U.S. research output, especially Chinese students who are indispensable in the development of AI and other critical fields in U.S. universities and enterprises.

"Take a look at the global talent pipeline feeding top talents to U.S. colleges, businesses, and research institutions, and you'll see the importance of Chinese students and scholars," Simon said. "Restrictive visa policies may deter top talents from choosing the U.S., leading to a brain drain, especially in frontier areas like AI."

"Such policies might undermine the U.S.'s reputation as an open and inclusive educational and research environment, prompting students and scholars to seek opportunities elsewhere. Similarly, Chinese companies looking to invest in the U.S. might be discouraged by this," he added.

Moreover, with the U.S. tech industry heavily reliant on foreign professional talent, Simon expressed concerns that restrictive policies might backlash against the U.S. innovation foundation and core competitiveness in the coming years.

He frankly admitted, "The U.S. will face a severe shortage of talent, and this cannot be solved simply by attracting more students from India or other countries."

Even from an economic perspective, Trump's administration's move is a bad deal. Simon mentioned that most Chinese undergraduate and master's students pay full tuition, contributing to the local economy through rent payments, grocery purchases, clothing, and even car purchases.

Simon is also a non-resident researcher at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, a U.S. think tank that specializes in studying U.S. foreign policy and is known for advocating "realism" and "strategic restraint." From this perspective, Simon further pointed out that the interference caused by Trump's policies may temporarily slow down the development of China's high-tech industry; however, in the long run, China may accelerate the construction of its domestic higher education system, including increasing investment in local universities and research institutions to cultivate more native talents, while intensifying efforts to attract overseas Chinese scholars and professionals back home.

Simon believes that by enhancing its own educational strength and attracting more international students and scholars, China has the opportunity to become a new hub for global education and research.

"As part of self-strengthening efforts, China may increase investments in domestic educational institutions and research facilities, reducing dependence on overseas training and cooperation. This includes expanding graduate programs in STEM fields domestically and providing more resources for research and development."

He added, "The restrictions imposed by U.S. policies will serve as a catalyst, accelerating China's independent technological development, promoting more innovation investments, and significantly reducing reliance on foreign technology."

In summary, Simon considers Trump's administration shutting the door on Chinese students a "strategic mistake." "Harassing students who are not malicious but wish to improve their lives and knowledge through U.S. education is a huge mistake," he said.

Chinese scholars' interest in U.S. research positions has declined due to Trump's policies. Screenshot from Nature magazine website.

Strengthening reviews of Chinese student visa applications is part of Trump's overall action to sever ties between U.S. academia and China. This action dates back to his first term.

In 2020, during his first term, Trump launched the infamous "China Initiative," rejecting and repatriating many Chinese students and scholars, resulting in a series of lawsuits against academics. Last year, a large number of Chinese students were still subjected to unfair interrogations and deported upon arrival at U.S. airports.

After returning to the White House, Trump once again targeted Chinese students. In May, a cable from the U.S. Department of State showed that the Trump administration had instructed all U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide to suspend arranging visa interviews for applicants such as foreign students and exchange visitors, while considering requiring all students applying to study in the U.S. to undergo social media checks.

At the end of the same month, U.S. Secretary of State Rubio issued a statement saying that the U.S. would revoke visas for Chinese students in the U.S., including those with connections to the Chinese government or backgrounds in "key fields." Additionally, the U.S. would modify visa application standards to strengthen scrutiny of all future visa applications from mainland China and Hong Kong.

"The whole government has gone mad," an expert long engaged in international education bluntly told the Hong Kong media.

Richard Suttmeier, an expert at the University of Oregon researching Sino-U.S. technology issues, pointed out that visa policies will harm U.S. interests. "Rejecting the intellectual resources brought by Chinese students to the U.S. research system will inevitably come at a cost."

He believed that this policy was a "demolition job," causing the U.S. to distance itself from the technological progress China is achieving.

Many experts believe that although restrictive measures may harm China in the short term, they might also push China to accelerate reform and innovation. Looking back at history, "getting throttled" often leads to China's vigorous development.

Gao Enlai, associate professor at the Department of Engineering Mechanics of Wuhan University, strongly agreed with this view. He mentioned that historically, China's major technological breakthroughs have often stemmed from self-reliance in the face of external blockades, such as the "two bombs and one satellite" project. The success of the DeepSeek AI model this year also shows that China has the capability to nurture world-class innovations under restricted and blocked conditions.

Gao Enlai predicted that Trump's crackdown on China would accelerate the formation of a multipolar global technological landscape, with more STEM talents choosing to return home, injecting innovative momentum into China's development. Additionally, Australia, the UK, Canada, and Singapore might also become alternative destinations for Chinese students, challenging the U.S. dominance.

Chen Chenghao, deputy researcher at the International Security and Strategic Studies Center of Tsinghua University, further pointed out that the Chinese government has multiple response options, including improving its domestic talent cultivation system, increasing investment in domestic universities and research institutions, enhancing educational quality, and nurturing more high-level talents.

He added that China might also seek to expand cooperation with Eurasian countries and regions to reduce dependence on the U.S., while accelerating the research and development process of key technologies.

Feiling Wang, a professor of international affairs at Georgia Tech, also noted that from a broader perspective, U.S. policies might exacerbate Sino-U.S. technological competition. As China seeks reforms and improvements in its science and education sectors, this might benefit the global community.

He reminded that given the starkly different resource endowments and systemic inclinations of the two countries, U.S. policies might pose quite serious challenges to China, and pressure in certain areas might soon intensify.

In response to the U.S. State Department's announcement canceling Chinese student visas, the Chinese Embassy in the U.S. immediately lodged a solemn representation with the U.S. side and will continue to firmly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese students and overseas Chinese in the U.S.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry, the Chinese Embassy in the U.S., and others have clearly stated that China firmly opposes this politically motivated and discriminatory U.S. practice. This action will severely damage the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese students in the U.S. and further damage the U.S.'s international image and credibility. It urges the U.S. government to immediately correct its mistakes and effectively protect the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese students in the U.S.

Strengthening Sino-U.S. technological exchanges and cooperation serves the common interests of both sides. China urges relevant U.S. officials to abandon Cold War thinking and outdated zero-sum game concepts, correctly view and maintain exchanges and cooperation in science, technology, and humanities between China and the U.S., and do more to enhance mutual trust and cooperation between the two countries.

This article is an exclusive contribution by Observer Network and cannot be reprinted without permission.

Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7515626185406104079/

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