China has sharply criticized the United States for revoking the visas of Chinese students, condemning the move as politically driven and discriminatory. The Chinese Foreign Ministry warned that the decision could further damage already fragile ties between the world’s two largest economies.
Speaking at a press briefing in Beijing on Thursday, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning accused Washington of using ideology and national security as a pretext to undermine the rights of Chinese nationals. She said the visa cancellations infringe on the legitimate interests of Chinese students and jeopardize people-to-people exchanges.
“This politicized and discriminatory measure exposes the hypocrisy behind the U.S.’s proclaimed values of freedom and openness,” Mao said. “It will only deepen the erosion of America’s global image and credibility.”
The remarks came in response to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who announced plans to “aggressively” revoke visas of Chinese students, especially those with alleged ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) or those studying in sensitive fields such as science and technology. Rubio added that future applications from China and Hong Kong would face heightened scrutiny by both the State Department and the Department of Homeland Security.
With over 100 million members in the CCP and thousands of Chinese students enrolled in critical academic disciplines in the U.S., the policy is expected to impact a large number of individuals.
China, which had the second-largest cohort of international students in the U.S. in 2024—after India—has lodged a formal diplomatic protest over the decision. Mao reiterated that such actions undermine the foundation of U.S.-China relations.
“This move disrupts normal educational and cultural exchanges and further sours bilateral trust,” she said.
When asked whether the visa issue could spill over into broader areas like trade or diplomacy, Mao responded by calling for dialogue and mutual respect.
“We urge the U.S. to meet China halfway, take more constructive actions, and contribute to the healthy and stable development of our relations,” she concluded.
