US lawmakers accuse Chinese students of espionage, push universities for data

In response to the U.S. Congressional committee's demand that six universities provide information on Chinese students enrolled in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) programs, the Chinese government has urged the U.S. to protect the rights and interests of Chinese students in the United States.

The chairman of the U.S. House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party sent letters to Carnegie Mellon University, Purdue University, Stanford University, the University of Illinois, the University of Maryland, and the University of Southern California, accusing Beijing of placing students in top research programs to "illegally acquire critical research and advanced technology." Committee Chairman John Moolenaar stated in the letters that the United States is at "a dangerous crossroads, where academic institutions' pursuit of short-term economic gains is jeopardizing long-term global technological leadership and national security."

Moolenaar added that intelligence agencies have warned that university campuses are "soft targets" for espionage and intellectual property theft, and claimed that the U.S. student visa system is Beijing's "Trojan horse." The letters also stated that "American universities have inadvertently become incubators for China's technological and military advancements." These letters request information on funding sources and the types of research being conducted by Chinese students, and seek information on policies to prevent foreign nationals from working on U.S. government-funded projects.

In response, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning urged the United States to "stop overstretching the concept of national security" and to "protect the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese students in the United States." Mao told reporters that Chinese students account for approximately 25% of all foreign students in the United States and contribute to the country's "economic prosperity and technological development." In recent years, American universities have generally welcomed Chinese students, as they typically pay full international tuition fees, making them an important source of funding.

However, Moolenaar expressed concern about the number of Chinese students, accusing university administrators of crowding out American students. He stated: "The large tuition revenue generated by international students (many of whom pay full tuition) has led elite universities to become economically dependent on foreign student enrollment, particularly from China. This reliance on foreign students, especially from adversarial nations, raises serious concerns about the loss of American talent, the outsourcing of expertise, and the long-term impact on American technological leadership and economic security."

Previously, Republican Congressman Riley Moore introduced a bill last week (March 14) aimed at preventing Chinese citizens from obtaining visas to study or participate in exchange programs in the United States. He accused these students of being spies. Moore submitted the "No CCP Visas Act" to Congress, but it is not expected to pass due to widespread opposition and concerns that the bill could harm U.S. interests. Critics argue that the bill is reminiscent of the Chinese Exclusion Act, which restricted Chinese immigration to the United States from 1882 to 1943.