China media slams US think tank over student visa report

A report by the US-based Centre for Immigration Studies (CIS) has ignited a fierce debate, with Chinese media pushing back against its conclusion that a significant drop in US student visas for Chinese nationals benefits American security. The CIS report analyzed US State Department data, noting a 46% decrease in F-1 visas issued to Chinese citizens compared to previous years, alongside a 60% drop for Indian nationals.

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Reductions in the number of PRC students coming to US colleges and universities will reduce the overall level of espionage and technology theft on campus and will be to the benefit of US national security.

The think tank suggested that fewer Chinese students in the US could mitigate risks associated with technology transfer and espionage, stating that reductions would "reduce the overall level of espionage and technology theft on campus and will be to the benefit of US national security." This framing has been sharply criticized in China.

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a deeply polarizing topic in the US and has become highly politicized

China's state-affiliated Global Times countered that the CIS report lacks evidence linking overseas students to US security threats. The publication asserted that the visa policy is a divisive and politicized issue within the US. It argued that the sharp decline in visas is not due to uncovered "spies" but rather a consequence of US political actions, including suspended interviews, extensive social media screening, layered background checks, and public calls for heightened scrutiny of students from specific countries.

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Rather, it is the direct result of a series of US political manoeuvres – suspending interviews, comprehensive social media screening, layered background checks and public statements advocating ‘enhanced scrutiny’ for students from specific countries.