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The suspension of student visa processing by the US State Department has caused worry among Chinese students eyeing American universities, but many have said they still intended to proceed with their original study plans.
In a diplomatic cable on Tuesday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio directed American embassies and consulates to halt new appointments as the administration prepared to expand its social media vetting of applicants, while previously scheduled visa interviews could proceed, according to media reports.
The latest hurdle followed a series of actions aimed at restricting international students over claims of antisemitism and threats to national security.
Earlier this year, the Trump administration suspended hundreds of student visas, and on Friday, revoked Harvard’s right to enrol international students. A judge temporarily blocked the move, but the administration has threatened to cancel the federal government’s remaining contracts with Harvard University.
Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning on Wednesday urged the US to protect its international students.
“It is China’s consistent position that normal education exchange and academic cooperation should not be disrupted. The US needs to protect the lawful rights and interests of international students from all countries, including China,” she said.
But many prospective Chinese students remained undeterred by recent developments. James, a Zhejiang-based undergraduate student studying biomedicine, who asked that his surname not be used, still planned to apply for US PhD programmes next autumn, adding that the benefits of a US education still outweighed the current uncertainties.
