Translation

Assessing Chinese Reactions to New U.S. Visa Policies on Chinese Students and Researchers

Emily S. Weinstein

and Dahlia Peterson

June 2020

This report summarizes Chinese reactions to a May 29th White House proclamation forbidding entry to the United States of graduate students or researchers with past or current affiliations with entities supporting China’s military-civil fusion. It draws on sources ranging from government statements and state-owned media to blog posts.

Download Full Media Reaction Brief

The White House on May 29th issued the “Proclamation on the Suspension of Entry as Nonimmigrants of Certain Students and Researchers from the People’s Republic of China.”1 This proclamation forbids the entry of graduate students or researchers who have past or current affiliations with Chinese entities that “implement or support” China’s military-civil fusion (军民融合; or MCF) strategy.2 Reports by The New York Times and Reuters indicate the new policy may affect between 3,000 and 5,000 Chinese graduate students and researchers, but the State Department has not publicly confirmed these numbers or how it will implement the proclamation.3

This post provides a brief overview of Chinese reactions (as of June 15th), drawing on ministry statements, state-owned media, platforms known in China as “self-media” such as WeChat, and Chinese study abroad blogs meant for prospective or current students. Takeaways and recurring themes include:

  • The Chinese government’s official response has been critical but relatively muted.
  • Chinese experts and prospective students are uncertain about which Chinese entities qualify as supporting MCF, what defines MCF, and whether students at purportedly MCF-supporting entities have any relationship to the Chinese military. Several experts provide lists of Chinese universities that they think will be affected.
  • Chinese articles argue that the proclamation will harm U.S. science and competitiveness, as Chinese students and researchers will go to the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, or Japan instead of the United States.
  • Posts by Chinese study abroad consultancies and others cite U.S. university statements and guidance to argue that the United States will remain welcoming to Chinese students.

A Critical but Relatively Muted Official Response

Response from the PRC government has been fairly muted. However, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and the Ministry of Education (MOE) have, on a few occasions, been willing to answer media questions about the proclamation during regular press conferences. Additionally, although more prominent Chinese state-owned news organizations like Xinhua and People’s Daily have yet to respond, some state-owned and local media sources like Global Times and CGTN have published on this issue.

  • As of June 15th, there is a notable lack of response from relevant Chinese government agencies such as the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), who is often viewed as a key player in China’s MCF strategy. Neither the Chinese Embassy in the United States nor its Ambassador, Cui Tiankai, has issued any statements.
  • A spokesperson from MOE on June 12th responded to a question about the proclamation by stating that China firmly opposes the U.S. government’s decision to restrict Chinese students as well as its “politicization and stigmatization of normal overseas exchanges.” The statement also argues that these new U.S. measures are “self-contradictory and self-serving.”4
  • During his daily press conferences on May 29th, June 1st, and June 2nd, MOFA Spokesperson Zhao Lijian responded aggressively to questions from both Chinese and foreign media outlets surrounding the possible revocation of Chinese student visas. In response to questions from AFP, Shenzhen TV, CCTV, and Global Times, he stated that the proclamation “is stark political persecution, racial discrimination, and a grave violation of the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese students and researcher sin the United States.” He emphasized that it “runs counter to the openness and freedom that the U.S. claims to champion,” and questioned the Trump administration’s “Cold War mentality.”5
  • Global Times (环球日报) and China Global Television Network (中国国际电视台; or CGTN)6 appear to be the only official Chinese state-owned media sources to publish in response to President Trump’s proclamation. Both outlets have published English-language pieces on this issue that appear to be directed at a foreign audience.
  • Beijing News on May 30th stated that proclamation reflects “the low credibility of certain American politicians” and “damages the public image of the U.S. with regard to rule of law and human rights.”7
  • Zhejiang News on May 31st published an equally fiery response, poking fun at President Trump’s “Make America Great Again” slogan and stating that the United States appears to have no hesitation about “treating Chinese students with the greatest malicious intentions.”8
  • For its domestic Chinese audience, Global Times on June 5th published an op-ed in vernacular Chinese by Miao (Mabel) Lu, the co-founder and secretary-general of the Center for China and Globalization, that lays out “active measures” (积极措施) that China should take “to ensure the safety of its citizens in the United States.” Some of these recommendations include sending temporary charter flights in support of Chinese nationals and convening roundtable discussions with U.S. counterparts in academia, among others.9

Uncertainty About the Proclamation’s Scope

Given that the proclamation does not specify which entities are considered contributors to China’s MCF strategy, Chinese state and non-state-owned sources have speculated on which Chinese university may qualify. Lu’s op-ed in Global Times references 13 universities that she claims the United States has deemed to be participating in defense or MCF-related projects, which are also discussed in several other pieces.

  • Lu argues that proclamation’s assertions about MCF, universities, and espionage are false because it is not uncommon for universities with important research functions to engage in research work that relates to national defense. She goes on to note that 10 of the 13 universities that have been “named” by the United States are directly managed by either the Ministry of Education or the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, and do not have “special connections with the military.”
  • A blog post from “Universities and Scientific Research”10 lists universities found in Table 1 below as those named in the U.S. Department of Commerce Bureau of Industry and Security’s (BIS) Entity and Unverified Lists.
  • The Hainan Province Study Abroad Center directly linked the proclamation to the latest batch of Entity List entries from May 23, which includes two of the 13 universities (Harbin Institute of Technology and Harbin Engineering University). The Hainan center claims that these 13 universities “have made many achievements in the fields of aerospace, robotics, equipment manufacturing, new energy, new materials, but the research and development of high-end materials and precision optical components are still our weak links.”11

Table 1: Universities named in Chinese articles as likely proclamation targets

University NameBIS Entity ListBIS Unverified ListManaging Body
Renmin University of China YesMinistry of Education
Xi’an Jiaotong University YesMinistry of Education
Tongji University YesMinistry of Education
Guangdong University of Technology YesGuangdong Province
National University of Defense TechnologyYes Central Military Commission
Beihang University*Yes Ministry of Industry and Information Technology
Northwestern Polytechnical University*Yes Ministry of Industry and Information Technology
University of Electronic Science and Technology of ChinaYes Ministry of Education
Sichuan UniversityYes Ministry of Education
Hunan University12  Ministry of Education
Nanchang University YesJiangxi Province
Harbin Institute of Technology*Yes Ministry of Industry and Information Technology
Harbin Engineering University*Yes Ministry of Industry and Information Technology
Source: Ministry of Education13 and the China Aerospace Studies Institute14
* Denotes Seven Sons of National Defense University

Several reactions from self-media entities15 and Chinese state-owned media question the MCF aspect of President Trump’s proclamation. These pieces often bring up what they believe to be the over-inclusive nature of using “military-civil fusion” as a concept in assessing universities. Several pieces also considered it necessary to provide Chinese readers with definitions of MCF and categories such as the Seven Sons of National Defense (国防七子). Commonly cited sources for these definitions are the U.S. State Department, The New York Times, and the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI).

  • A WeChat piece posted on May 30th provides screenshots of the ASPI Chinese University Defence Tracker and a January 2020 announcement by the U.S. State Department entitled “China’s Military-Civil Fusion Strategy Poses a Risk to National Security.” This WeChat post appears to imply that the U.S. government utilized the aforementioned ASPI tracker in making its strategy.16
  • Another WeChat piece attempts to provide its own interpretation of the following MCF-related questions: 1) which universities are considered Chinese military schools, and 2) are the Seven Sons of National Defense counted as military schools. The author believes that PLA academies such as the National University of Defense Technology and the PLA College of Engineering are most likely to be considered military schools. However, based on the estimated 3,000 students affected according to the New York Times, the author expresses disbelief that the Seven Sons are included, noting that otherwise the number would exceed 3,000.17
  • A June 1st article by CGTN details interviews with two anonymous students from Harbin Institute of Technology and Beihang University who fear that the proclamation will affect their plans to study in the United States thanks to their universities’ U.S.-deemed connections to China’s MCF apparatus. The article states that the two students “both expressed discontent of their schools being targeted, adding that they feel unfairly treated.”18
  • Lighthouse Academy, a study abroad consulting organization, expressed fears that many if not all of China’s universities would ultimately be considered integral to MCF, and called this thinking a resurgence of McCarthyism.19
  • One personal blog cited a general sentiment of ridicule or disbelief from Chinese web users, as the suspected universities are almost identical to Chinese students’ top wish lists for pursuing undergraduate degrees. It argues that many purportedly MCF-related universities are attractive to students because of their general quality, not because they have an interest in doing MCF-related work.20

Views of Proclamation’s Impact

In addition to frequent speculation on which entities qualify, self-media posts also try to assuage students’ fears that they could be targeted, while providing several pointers to students who think they may be targeted.

  • Beijing New Oriental Study Abroad emphasizes that the choice of field matters, claiming that “not all majors taught at the Seven Sons meet the requirements to be considered an MCF entity. They must be sensitive professions such as missile technology, aviation technology, or military electronic equipment.” It also points out that most Chinese individuals will not be doing such advanced research.21 (Section 2(a)(v) of the Proclamation exempts individuals from unspecified fields that do not contribute to China’s military‑civil fusion strategy.)
  • For students on valid visas who think they may be targeted, multiple posts also encourage students not to leave the United States.

These posts argue that an increasingly unwelcoming climate may drive Chinese students and researchers to pursue studies or work elsewhere, leading to longer-term losses in scientific innovation and progress for the United States. Given the unwelcoming climate, multiple posts discuss other countries for Chinese scholars to pursue work or study.

  • Study abroad consulting group Blue Oak claims this proclamation may discourage students currently in China from pursuing further study or seeking work in the United States.22
  • It also wonders if the order has enough teeth, and posits that if there were true technology transfer concerns, the United States would likely prohibit Chinese students pursuing undergraduate degrees in the United States from pursuing further study at the graduate level. It speculates that the motive is leverage for trade talks or rhetoric for the upcoming election and less about the technology transfer issue.23
  • Beijing New Oriental Study Abroad, a domestic Chinese study abroad organization, cites students who planned to study in the UK or Australia, and are now concerned that the proclamation will drive more students to apply for visas in the UK and Australia, leading to fiercer competition.24
  • Another blog centered on International English Language Testing System (IELTS) coverage claimed that the UK will be the next top destination for Chinese students, while Australia will not be an attractive destination because it has adopted unfriendly policies toward China.25
  • CGTN on June 12th quoted Anne-Marie Graham, CEO of the UK Council for International Student Affairs, who argued that the proclamation “could be a significant blow to recruitment for U.S. universities, particularly as it runs counter to policies in other English-speaking countries such as the UK, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.”26

Views of the U.S. Policy Debate

Chinese language reporting meant for Chinese nationals, particularly students who are or intend to study abroad in the United States, consistently cites responses by U.S. academic institutions in criticizing President Trump’s proclamation. Institutions including Northwestern University, Cornell University, University of Notre Dame have issued guidance for Chinese students and scholars following Trump’s announcement on May 29th. The guidance, which is fairly similar across these four universities, attempts to provide more detailed information regarding to whom the proclamation may or may not apply.

  • A WeChat post from June 4th includes screenshots of guidance from the aforementioned universities as part of its argument that the United States will continue to welcome Chinese students and researchers, and cites these university guidelines as evidence that the visa ban will affect only a relatively small number of people. In addition to the universities mentioned above, it also cites similar statements made by Carnegie Mellon University, Columbia University, Northeastern University, University of California Berkeley, and Stanford University.27
  • At least two pieces specifically cite announcements made by Dr. Wendy Wolford, Cornell University’s Deputy Dean of International Affairs. Chinese publication The Paper on May 30th cited Dr. Wolford’s statement advocating for the continued renewal of visas and work permits for Chinese students and scholars at Cornell.28
  • Beijing New Oriental Study Abroad also cited Dr. Wolford’s statement in which she expresses strong opposition to the U.S. government’s actions against Chinese students.29 Dr. Wolford on May 29th wrote in both English and Chinese that “Cornell University is strengthened by its outstanding Chinese students, distinguished researchers, and dedicated alumni.”30

Lin Gan contributed research to this report.

  1. The White House, “Proclamation on the Suspension of Entry as Nonimmigrants of Certain Students and Researchers from the People’s Republic of China,” May 29, 2020,  https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/proclamation-suspension-entry-nonimmigrants-certain-students-researchers-peoples-republic-china/.
  2. Evidence of affiliations may be found in assessing funding, employment, and research activities, among others. For existing F and J visas, the Secretary of State may be able to authorize revocations, although this may not result in deportation, as it can be challenged in court. See Stuart Anderson, “Inside Trump’s Immigration Order To Restrict Chinese Students,” Forbes, June 1, 2020, https://www.forbes.com/sites/stuartanderson/2020/06/01/inside-trumps-immigration-order-to-restrict-chinese-students/#356cfa313bec.
  3. Edward Wong and Julian E. Barnes, “U.S. to Expel Chinese Graduate Students With Ties to China’s Military Schools,” The New York Times, May 28, 2020, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/28/us/politics/china-hong-kong-trump-student-visas.html; Matt Spetalnick and Humeyra Pamuk, “U.S. planning to cancel visas of Chinese graduate students: sources,” Reuters, May 28, 2020, https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-china-students/us-planning-to-cancel-visas-of-chinese-graduate-students-sources-idUSKBN2342AX.
  4. “A spokesperson for the Ministry of Education answered reporters’ questions about the measures taken by the US government to restrict some Chinese students from studying in the US” [教育部新闻发信人就美国政府采取限制部分中国留学人员赴美学习的措施答记者问], Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China, June 12, 2020, http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:EZ5IOAj3rOcJ:www.moe.gov.cn/jyb_xwfb/gzdt_gzdt/s5987/202006/t20200612_465555.html&hl=en&gl=us&strip=1&vwsrc=0; and “China firmly opposes U.S. restrictions on Chinese students: Ministry of Education,” CGTN, June 12, 2020, https://news.cgtn.com/news/2020-06-12/China-firmly-opposes-U-S-restrictions-on-Chinese-students-RgFgrEZHna/index.html.
  5. “Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian’s Regular Press Conference on May 29, 2020,” Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, May 29, 2020, https://archive.vn/CuGd0#selection-637.0-640.0; “Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian’s Regular Press Conference on June 1, 2020,” Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, June 1, 2020, https://archive.vn/QnqmC#selection-753.130-753.139; “Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian’s Regular Press Conference on June 2, 2020,” Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, June 2, 2020, https://archive.vn/N7Q4v.
  6. CGTN in November 2019 was required to register under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA). For more information, see: “Exhibit B to Registration Statement Pursuant to the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended,” Prepared for the U.S. Department of Justice by CGTN America, November 6, 2019, https://efile.fara.gov/docs/6633-Exhibit-AB-20191106-3.pdf.
  7. Xu Lifan, “Prohibiting the entry of Chinese study abroad students is a stupid move to undermine the connection between China and the United States” [禁止中国留学生入境，是破坏中美联结的蠢招], Beijing News [新京报], May 30, 2020, https://web.archive.org/web/20200604224544/http://www.bjnews.com.cn/opinion/2020/05/30/733218.html.
  8. Li Pan, “Banning the entry of Chinese study abroad students, the U.S. will reap the breach of faith it sows” [禁止中国留学生入境，背信弃义必定自食其果], Zhejiang News [浙江新闻], May 31, 2020, https://web.archive.org/web/20200604225943/https://zj.zjol.com.cn/news.html?id=1457397.
  9. Lu Miao [绿苗], “Miao Lu: International academic exchanges should not be politicized” [苗绿：国际学术交流不应被政治化], Global Times [环球网], June 5, 2020, https://web.archive.org/web/20200608172914/https://baijiahao.baidu.com/s?id=1668589362148322297&wfr=spider&for=pc.
  10. Despite not being on either BIS list, Hunan University is likely included in this grouping due to its National Supercomputing Center. For more information, see: “The 13 most feared Chinese universities in the United States: 3 are not 984, and there is 1 ordinary provincial government one!” [美国最“怕”的13所中国高校：3所不是985，还有1所普通省属！], Universities and Scientific Research blog [高校与科研], May 27, 2020, https://web.archive.org/web/20200608175924/https://baijiahao.baidu.com/s?id=1667840418894178483&wfr=spider&for=pc.
  11. Hainan Province Study Abroad Center, “Did the United States cut off Chinese students from studying abroad?” [美国切断中国学生赴美留学路?], June 1, 2020, https://web.archive.org/web/20200602223203/http://www.hnscse.gov.cn/show-1739.html.
  12. Despite not being on either BIS list, Hunan University is likely included in this grouping due to its National Supercomputing Center. For more information, see “Hunan University,” Australian Strategic Policy Institute, November 19, 2019, https://unitracker.aspi.org.au/universities/hunan-university.
  13. “2019 National University List” [2019年全国高等学校名单], Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China, June 2019, https://archive.vn/XaTDG.
  14. Kenneth Allen and Mingzhi Chen, “The People’s Liberation Army’s 37 Academic Institutions,” China Aerospace Studies Institute, June 2020, https://www.airuniversity.af.edu/Portals/10/CASI/documents/Research/Other%20topics/CASI%20Academic%20Institutions%20Encyclopedia%202020-06-10%20web%20final.pdf?ver=2020-06-11-140140-450.
  15. It is important to note that WeChat is a key tool of China’s United Front efforts to expand the Chinese Communist Party’s political influence activities and control the flow of information. For more information on this subject, see: Anne-Marie Brady, “Magic Weapons: China’s political influence activities under Xi Jinping,” Wilson Center, September 2017, https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/f47f/597618ae6a649e0cde44cbc8a1cd5b5e19d0.pdf?_ga=2.134075918.1856620855.1592164792-1003659426.1591192643; and Alex Joske, “The party speaks for you: Foreign interference and the Chinese Communist Party’s united front system,” Australian Strategic Policy Institute, June 2020, https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/ad-aspi/2020-06/The%20party%20speaks%20for%20you_0.pdf?gFHuXyYMR0XuDQOs.6JSmrdyk7MralcN.
  16. Xie Jinbo [谢劲波], “Will it be history for Chinese undergraduates to study in the U.S.? The U.S. government visa ban is here! Here are details and analysis,” [中国大陆本科生赴美读研要成为历史吗？美国政府签证禁令来了！这里有详情和分析] Blue Oak [蓝橡树], May 31, 2020, https://web.archive.org/web/20200602234635/https://www.yidianzixun.com/article/0PVUThol?appid=s3rd_op398&s=op398.
  17. One Point Three Acres, “The US government plans to expel 3,000 foreign students. Does the US government have the right to cancel OPT and H1B directly?” [美国政府计划驱逐3000名留学生，它们是否有权力直接取消OPT和H1B?], May 29, 2020,  https://web.archive.org/web/20200604222737/https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/SjsFMZgrXM9aH5jjkcMpUg.
  18. Ma Ke, “Chinese students react to Trump’s threat to expel postgraduates,” CGTN, June 1, 2020, https://archive.vn/P9D9H.
  19. Lighthouse Academy Study Abroad Consulting [灯塔学院留学咨询] “The Trump government ban is coming. What does this mean for Chinese students going to the United States?” [川普政府禁令来了，这对中国赴美学生意味着什么?] June 1, 2020, https://baijiahao.baidu.com/s?id=1668108684624996363&wfr=spider&for=pc.
  20. Tian Qi’s Vlog [田七的vlog], “Already in force! Trump issued an executive order to ban some Chinese students from entering China. Is your alma mater on the list?” [已生效！特朗普发令禁止部分中国留学生入境，有没有你的母校], June 2, 2020,    https://web.archive.org/web/20200604201737/https://baijiahao.baidu.com/s?id=1668363993273770957&wfr=spider&for=pc.
  21. Beijing New Oriental IELTS [北京新东方雅思], “With the cancellation of 3000 Chinese student visas, is the era of studying in the US over?” [取消3000中国留学生签证，美国的留学时代结束了?], Beijing New Oriental Study Abroad, June 1, 2020, https://web.archive.org/web/20200602231103/https://www.yidianzixun.com/article/0PWHLTGx?appid=s3rd_op398&s=op398.
  22. Xie Jinbo [谢劲波], “Will it be history for Chinese undergraduates to study in the U.S.? The U.S. government visa ban is here! Here are details and analysis,” [中国大陆本科生赴美读研要成为历史吗？美国政府签证禁令来了！这里有详情和分析] Blue Oak [蓝橡树], May 31, 2020, https://web.archive.org/web/20200602234635/https://www.yidianzixun.com/article/0PVUThol?appid=s3rd_op398&s=op398.
  23. Xie Jinbo [谢劲波], “Will it be history for Chinese undergraduates to study in the U.S.? The U.S. government visa ban is here! Here are details and analysis,” [中国大陆本科生赴美读研要成为历史吗？美国政府签证禁令来了！这里有详情和分析] Blue Oak [蓝橡树], May 31, 2020, https://web.archive.org/web/20200602234635/https://www.yidianzixun.com/article/0PVUThol?appid=s3rd_op398&s=op398.
  24. Beijing New Oriental IELTS [北京新东方雅思], “With the cancellation of 3000 Chinese student visas, is the era of studying in the US over?” [取消3000中国留学生签证，美国的留学时代结束了?], Beijing New Oriental Study Abroad, June 1, 2020, https://web.archive.org/web/20200602231103/https://www.yidianzixun.com/article/0PWHLTGx?appid=s3rd_op398&s=op398.
  25. Duck Circle IELTS [鸭圈雅思], “The US government’s ban on Chinese students is coming, and it will be the hardest season for UK applications next year!” [ 美国政府针对中国留学生禁令来了，明年恐成英国申请最难季!], June 1, 2020, https://web.archive.org/web/20200604223128/https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/JIsUyLupL8EDY7d_0YQDHQ.
  26. Nawied Jabarkhyl, “UK universities could benefit from Trump China ban,” CGTN, June 12, 2020, https://newseu.cgtn.com/news/2020-06-12/UK-universities-could-benefit-from-Trump-China-ban-RgH0KPcCl2/index.html.
  27. “Reversed! The US State Department clarified the ban and continues to welcome Chinese students” [反转！美国国务院澄清禁令，继续欢迎中国留学生！], WeChat, June 4, 2020, https://web.archive.org/web/20200604223221/https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/m4bzxtGflSa5Lvg7RXfuWw.
  28. “Cornell University calls on the United States to continue to renewal study visas for the more than 2,000 Chinese students studying at the school” [康奈尔大学呼吁美国续发留学签证，逾两千中国留学生就读该校], The Paper, May 30, 2020, https://archive.vn/w6nIj.
  29. “With the cancellation of 3000 Chinese student visas, is the era of studying in the US over?” [取消3000中国留学生签证，美国的留学时代结束了？], Beijing New Oriental Study Abroad, June 1, 2020, https://web.archive.org/web/20200602231103/https://www.yidianzixun.com/article/0PWHLTGx?appid=s3rd_op398&s=op398.
  30. “Cornell advocates for continued visas and OPT for students from all countries,” Cornell University, May 29, 2020, https://chinacenter.cornell.edu/cornell-advocates.