China criticizes US ban on Harvard's international students
[May 23, 2025]
By HUIZHONG WU
BANGKOK (AP) — The Chinese government said Friday that the Trump
administration's move to ban international students from Harvard would
harm America's international standing, and one university in Hong Kong
looked to capitalize on the uncertainty by promising to take them in.
Chinese students make up a large part of Harvard University’s
international student population. The university enrolled 6,703
international students across all of its schools in 2024, according to
the school’s data, with 1,203 of those coming from China.
The Trump administration's move, announced Thursday, was a hot topic on
Chinese social media. State broadcaster CCTV questioned whether the U.S.
would remain a top destination for foreign students, noting Harvard was
already suing the U.S. government in court.
“But with the long litigation period, thousands of international
students may have trouble waiting,” the CCTV commentary said.
It went on to say that it becomes necessary for international students
to consider other options “when policy uncertainty becomes the norm.”
Educational cooperation with the U.S. is mutually beneficial and China
opposes its politicization, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said
at a daily briefing in Beijing.
“The relevant actions by the U.S. side will only damage its own image
and international credibility,” she said.
She added that China would firmly protect the rights and interests of
Chinese students and scholars abroad but she didn't offer any details on
how it would do so in this situation.
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In this image taken from video, China's Foreign Ministry
spokesperson Mao Ning speaks during a regular briefing held in
Beijing, Friday, May 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Liu Zheng)
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology extended an open
invitation to international students already at Harvard and those
who have been admitted. The institution posted a news release saying
it would provide unconditional offers, streamlined admission
procedures and academic support to facilitate a seamless transition.
Some people in China joked online about having the university open a
branch in the northeastern Chinese city of Harbin, whose name shares
the same character as Harvard’s name in Chinese.
The issue of Chinese students studying overseas has long been a
point of tension in the relationship with the United States. During
Trump’s first term, China’s Ministry of Education warned students
about rising rejections rates and shorter terms for visas in the
U.S.
Last year, the Chinese foreign ministry protested that a number of
Chinese students had been interrogated and sent home upon arrival at
U.S. airports.
Chinese state media has long played up gun violence in the U.S. and
portrayed America as a dangerous place. Some Chinese students are
opting to study in the U.K. or other countries rather than the U.S.
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Associated Press writer Kanis Leung in Hong Kong contributed.
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