On May 22 local time, the Trump government of the United States announced the revocation of Harvard University's qualification to enroll international students and forced enrolled international students to transfer schools. In response, on May 23, The New York Times published an article stating, "Trump's crackdown on Harvard makes Chinese people once again disillusioned with America."

The New York Times said that if the Trump administration successfully prevents Harvard University from enrolling international students, its impact will not be limited to only a few individuals who are capable of entering this prestigious institution, but may also cut off one of the few reasons why the Chinese public still admires the United States, reshaping the overall relationship between the two countries.

The report stated that even other symbols of America, such as Hollywood or iPhones, have gradually lost their appeal in the hearts of many Chinese people, but American universities remain objects of aspiration and even worship for them, with elite universities like Harvard playing a particularly important role in this admiration, "Now, even this beacon is in jeopardy."

The long-standing flow of Chinese students studying abroad in the U.S. has been one of the most stable pillars maintaining relations between the two countries. Not long ago, China was still the largest source country of international students in the United States, sending tens of thousands of students to the country each year.

"Everyone has the ideal to change the world when they come here," said a current graduate student at Harvard from China. Out of concern for visa security, she requested anonymity. "Then while trying to understand the world, the world excludes me." She said she now hopes to return to China after graduation.

Harvard University campus, April 2025. The New York Times

The report mentioned that on Friday, news about Harvard became a hot topic, and the complex reactions of Chinese netizens on social media highlighted how tense the relationship between the two superpowers, the U.S. and China, had become. There were concerns, anger, resignation, and even jubilation among some netizens.

Some netizens said that Trump is accelerating China's rise. They celebrated this, believing that American universities would lose income and talent, part of which might shift to China. At least one university in Hong Kong has already expressed willingness to unconditionally admit any student transferring from Harvard.

Long before this measure was taken against Harvard, there were already many reasons for Chinese students in the U.S. to feel worried. Out of national security considerations, U.S. federal and state legislators proposed restrictions on Chinese citizens studying in the U.S. Some students reported that despite having valid visas, they were refused entry or had their visas suddenly revoked.

Last month, the Chinese Ministry of Education officially warned Chinese students to consider the risks of studying in the U.S., marking the first warning issued by the government to overseas students since 2021.

The Trump administration's cuts to research funding also put considerable pressure on many Chinese scholars, some of whom worry about being unable to continue receiving sufficient funds for their research. The Harvard student planning to return home after graduation said that a research position she had secured was canceled due to a freeze on federal funds.

In China's rapidly growing study abroad consulting industry, many consultants encourage clients to apply to universities outside the U.S. as alternatives. On Friday, during a live stream watched by hundreds, an advisor warned that other universities might soon face similar restrictions.

On the evening of May 22, the Trump administration's action to cancel the legal status of Harvard international students was halted.

Federal Judge Jeffrey White from California approved a temporary injunction on May 22, prohibiting the U.S. government from terminating the legal status or revoking visas of international students at universities (including Harvard) during the trial period. The injunction also prohibited the Trump administration from arresting or detaining any student born outside the U.S. based on immigration status.

In response to the situation, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ma Ning stated on May 22 that educational cooperation between China and the U.S. is mutually beneficial. The Chinese side has consistently opposed the politicization of educational cooperation, and the relevant actions by the U.S. will only harm its image and international credibility. The Chinese side will firmly uphold the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese students and scholars overseas.

This article is an exclusive piece by Guancha Observer, unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.

Source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7507824118299525673/

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