China has advised its citizens travelling to the United States to prepare for possible searches and unexpected questioning. This is due to recent incidents of unwarranted interrogations and harassment” faced by Chinese students and employees at U.S. airports.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through a statement on WeChat, highlighted the plight of Chinese nationals in the U.S., urging those encountering problems to contact Chinese embassies or consulates for assistance, according to a South China Morning Post report.
One of the incidents, shared by China Science Daily, involved a PhD candidate in biological sciences who was deported after being subjected to a body search, extensive questioning, and solitary confinement upon trying to re-enter the U.S. for her studies.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning criticised the U.S. for disrupting the Chinese-American exchanges, citing a “cold war mentality.” Another spokesperson, Wang Wenbin, accused the U.S. of politicising academic research and damaging bilateral relations.
Despite these tensions, both countries are interested in building educational and cultural ties. President Xi Jinping, during his November visit to the U.S., announced a plan to invite 50,000 young Americans to study in China over the next five years.
Additionally, after Xi met with U.S. representatives from various sectors, discussions between Chinese Education Minister Huai Jinpeng and Blackstone Group Chairman Stephen Schwarzman took place in Beijing. The meeting focused on boosting student exchanges and university cooperation between China and the U.S.
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