US revokes 1,000 China student visas under Trump order over 'military links'

The United States has banned more than 1,000 Chinese graduate students and researchers from entering the country, revoking their visas under an order by President Donald Trump as tensions between the two countries deepen.

Washington accused Beijing of “abusing” US student visas to “exploit” American academia, and launching industrial espionage, including attempts to steal coronavirus research.

“We are blocking visas for certain Chinese graduate students and researchers with ties to China’s military fusion strategy to prevent them from stealing and otherwise appropriating sensitive research,” acting head of the US Department of Homeland Security, Chad Wolf said Wednesday amid US crackdown on students and academics who it says “might be linked to the Chinese Army.”

"We continue to welcome legitimate students and scholars from China who do not further the Chinese Communist Party's goals of military dominance," she said.

Trump, In a May 29 proclamation, as relations with Beijing continued to sour, declared that some Chinese nationals who are officially in the United States for study have stolen intellectual property and helped modernize China's military.

The Trump administration closed China's consulate in Houston in June, charging China of seeking to steal university research into COVID-19.

China said, in June, it resolutely opposed any US move to restrict Chinese students from studying in the United States and urged Washington to do more to enhance mutual exchanges and understanding.

Nearly 370,000 Chinese nationals study in the United States, offering significant revenue to US colleges that are now facing growing pressure from the coronavirus pandemic.

Some Chinese students enrolled in US universities said they received emailed notices on Wednesday from the US Embassy in Beijing or US consulates in China informing them their visas had been canceled, Reuters said.

Many said they were majoring in subjects such as science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Some said they were postgraduates who obtained bachelor's degrees at Chinese universities with links to the People's Liberation Army.

Asian American activists have warned that Trump's visa cancellation order is creating a climate of suspicion on campuses, with students of Asian descent facing unfounded questions about their intentions, AFP said.

Chinese journalists have been also in the cross-fire as Washington, in March, slashed the number of Chinese US-based staff of media outlets, including China's official news agency Xinhua, from 160 to 100.

China, in response, expelled American journalists employed at three US newspapers and said it may consider further retaliation.

Last month, China’s Foreign Ministry said the government would retaliate if the US persisted with “hostile action” against the Chinese journalists, who may be forced to leave in the coming days if their visas are not extended.

“The US has been escalating its actions against Chinese journalists. The US should immediately correct its mistake and stop its actions,” the Foreign Ministry said.

China-US relations have sunk to historic lows under Trump over issues ranging from trade, Hong Kong and the coronavirus.

Trump has accused his Democratic opponent, Joe Biden, who leads in national opinion polls, of being soft toward Beijing. He has made getting tough on China a key part of his campaign for re-election on Nov. 3.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk