[By Guancha Observer Network, Zhang Jingjuan] The Trump administration, which has frequently targeted Chinese students, recently changed its tune.

According to Hong Kong-based English-language media South China Morning Post, U.S. President Trump reiterated his support for Chinese students in the U.S. on June 12 and promised to help them stay after graduation. Earlier (on May 5), during a phone call between Chinese and American leaders, Trump had stated that the U.S. welcomes Chinese students to study there.

"I have always strongly supported this. I think it's a good thing. It is beneficial for our schools and our country," Trump said.

He expressed his approval of Chinese students staying in the U.S. and being hired by American companies.

Trump added that if these graduates and entrepreneurs are not allowed to stay in the U.S., they will return to their home countries and start businesses there. "This keeps happening because they are not allowed to stay, so I think we may eventually take some measures regarding this, right?"

The report pointed out that strengthening the review of visa applications from Chinese students is part of Trump's overall action to crack down on academic ties between the U.S. and China, which can be traced back to his first term.

In 2020, during his first term, Trump launched the infamous "China Initiative," resulting in the rejection and repatriation of many Chinese students and scholars, leading to a series of lawsuits against academics. Last year, a large number of Chinese students were still subject to unfair questioning and repatriated upon arrival at U.S. airports.

After returning to the White House, Trump targeted Chinese students again. In May, an embassy cable showed that the Trump administration had instructed all U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide to suspend face-to-face interviews for visa applicants such as foreign students and exchange visitors, while considering requiring all students applying to study in the U.S. to undergo social media reviews.

At the end of the 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 ties to the Chinese government or backgrounds in "key fields." Additionally, the U.S. plans to modify visa application standards to strengthen scrutiny of future visa applications from mainland China and Hong Kong.

On June 12, 2025, Washington D.C., U.S. President Trump speaks at the White House. IC Photo.

Since the 2009-2010 academic year, Chinese students have been the largest foreign student group in the U.S., but their numbers have been declining since the 2019-2020 academic year.

According to data from the U.S. Department of State, in the 2023-2024 academic year, there were 277,398 Chinese students studying in U.S. schools, a 4% decrease from the previous year. India surpassed China to become the largest source of international students in the U.S., with 331,602 students, up 23% year-over-year.

The report suggests that Trump's latest remarks seem to shift the narrative in another direction, implying that America's technological progress needs Chinese students.

However, earlier in a congressional hearing, Republican Congressman Bill Huizenga from Michigan accused China of "stealing" semiconductor technology and using its relationships with American universities to strengthen its military capabilities.

Jeffery Kessler, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Industry and Security, said, "China is investing heavily to increase the production and performance of its artificial intelligence chips. Therefore, the key is not to have a false sense of security and to recognize that China is rapidly catching up."

In response to the erroneous remarks made by the U.S. side, a spokesperson for China's Foreign Ministry clearly pointed out that China's scientific and technological achievements are not obtained through theft or plunder, but through the hard work and wisdom of the Chinese people, including intellectuals. Strengthening science and technology exchanges and cooperation between China and the U.S. serves the common interests of both sides. China urges relevant U.S. officials to abandon Cold War mentality and outdated zero-sum game ideas, correctly view and maintain exchanges and cooperation in science and technology and humanities between China and the U.S., and do more to enhance mutual trust and cooperation between China and the U.S.

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

Original Source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7515266344821064227/

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