China has called on the United States to halt what it describes as discriminatory measures against Chinese students studying in America. On Thursday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning urged U.S. officials to protect the legitimate rights and interests of these students.
The call comes after reports that a U.S. House politician sent letters to six universities, requesting information on their Chinese students due to “national security” concerns. Mao highlighted that Chinese students make up about a quarter of all international students in the U.S.
“We urge the U.S. side to cease overstretching the concept of national security, effectively safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese students, and refrain from imposing discriminatory and restrictive measures on them,” Mao said.
She emphasized that educational cooperation benefits both countries by expanding opportunities for students, fostering mutual understanding, and contributing to economic prosperity and technological advancement in the U.S.
“Such cooperation aligns with the interests of both sides,” Mao added.
