China Accuses US of Harassing Students, Warning of Damaged Ties

China has issued a stern rebuke to the United States, accusing it of a systemic "harassment and suppression" campaign targeting Chinese students and scholars. Foreign Minister Wang Yi vociferously condemned these actions, asserting that they are not only undermining the bedrock of bilateral trust but also threatening the vital people-to-people exchanges that traditionally stabilize the often-turbulent relationship between the two global powers.

During a recent address, Wang Yi highlighted what he described as a concerning "negative trend" in US policy towards Chinese academic visitors.

He specifically pointed to a pattern of frequent interrogations, unwarranted harassment, and even the repatriation of Chinese students by US border authorities, often without clear or justifiable reasons. Beijing claims that over 200 such incidents have been reported since last year alone, painting a picture of deliberate and widespread targeting.

These alleged actions, according to the Chinese foreign minister, are far from isolated incidents.

Instead, they represent "politically motivated, discriminatory, and unjust" treatment. Such practices, he argued, are directly eroding the goodwill and mutual understanding that student exchanges foster, thereby damaging a crucial element of US-China relations that both nations have historically acknowledged as important for fostering future leadership and international collaboration.

Wang Yi reiterated China's unwavering commitment to protecting the legitimate rights and interests of its citizens studying and working abroad.

He warned that if the United States continues down this path of perceived academic intimidation and discrimination, Beijing will be compelled to take "resolute measures" to safeguard its nationals. This statement underscores China's growing frustration and its determination to push back against what it views as unfair and aggressive tactics.

The core of China's grievance lies in the belief that these actions are based on unfounded suspicions and serve to politicize academic pursuits.

Beijing argues that genuine academic freedom and scientific cooperation are being stifled by an overarching atmosphere of mistrust, fueled by US concerns over intellectual property theft and espionage – concerns China often dismisses as pretexts for containment. While the US has indeed intensified scrutiny of Chinese researchers and students, particularly those with alleged ties to military or state-sponsored entities, China maintains these measures are excessively broad and unfairly target innocent individuals.

Ultimately, China's message is clear: the pursuit of knowledge and cultural exchange should transcend political differences.

By creating an environment of fear and suspicion for Chinese students, the US is not only alienating a significant demographic but also actively dismantling one of the few remaining constructive pillars in a relationship increasingly defined by competition and strategic rivalry. Beijing urges Washington to reverse this course, uphold principles of fairness, and recognize the long-term detriment such policies pose to the future of US-China engagement.