### US to Aggressively Revoke Visas for Chinese Students, Intensifying Tensions

In a substantial escalation of US-China tensions, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a sweeping plan on Wednesday to aggressively revoke visas for Chinese students, focusing on those with ties to the Chinese Communist Party or those studying in critical fields. This decision, unanticipated by many, marks a significant blow to American higher education institutions, which depend heavily on international student enrollment, especially from China.

China reacted sharply to the announcement. On Thursday, the Chinese government registered a formal protest with the United States, condemning the move as "politically motivated and discriminatory." Mao Ning, spokesperson for China's foreign ministry, criticized the action, asserting that the US is using ideology and national security as a pretext. Mao emphasized that this step undermines the United States' image as an open society and impairs the legitimate rights of Chinese students, while disrupting the educational exchange between the two countries.

The announcement exacerbates existing tensions, coming shortly after a 90-day trade and tariff truce between the US and China. It also follows earlier steps by the Trump administration aimed at restricting foreign student access to American education institutions, including a short-lived ban on Harvard University enrolling international students.

Chinese students have voiced fear and uncertainty about their academic futures in light of this development. Students like Candy, a statistics major at the University of Michigan, worry that their academic progress might be halted by sudden visa cancellations.

For decades, American universities have been a prime destination for China's brightest minds, including children of political and business elites. Notable figures, such as Xi Jinping’s daughter and various high-ranking officials, have attended prestigious US institutions like Harvard.

Educational exchanges have historically played a stabilizing role in US-China relations, which are increasingly strained by geopolitical rivalries and trade conflicts. China was the leading country of origin for international students in the US for 15 consecutive years until recently surpassed by India. The number of Chinese students peaked at over 372,000 in the 2019-2020 academic year but fell to around 270,000 in 2023-2024. This decline correlates with both the pandemic and growing US-China friction.

The US move to enhance visa scrutiny further threatens to damage bilateral ties. The State Department recently instructed embassies and consulates to pause new student visa appointments to incorporate expanded social media screening measures.

As the Trump administration's plan unfolds, fears are mounting that the already precarious relationship between China and the United States will deteriorate further, depriving both nations of valuable educational exchanges.