US visa crackdown echoes Trump’s first term, while China’s response marks shift in tone

Analysts say Beijing’s restraint over restrictions on Chinese students might stem from tariff talks and belief that the policy will backfire

Reading Time:4 minutes

If the US cancels visas for Chinese students, it could deal a “fata blow” to cultural and educational exchanges between the two countries, according to one analyst. Photo: AP

Shi Jiangtaoin Hong KongandSylvie Zhuangin Beijing

Published: 11:00pm, 30 May 2025

Washington’s visa crackdown on Chinese students with ties to the Communist Party closely mirrors restrictions imposed during US President Donald Trump’s first administration, which at the time prompted Beijing to accuse the US of “regime change”.

However, this time, Beijing’s response has been notably restrained, with China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday denouncing the move as “discriminatory” and lodging diplomatic protests.

Despite Beijing’s unease over discussions about party connections, observers suggested China’s measured approach stemmed from its focus on crucial trade negotiations with the Trump administration, and a belief that such policies would ultimately backfire and harm the US.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced in a brief statement on Wednesday that the US would “aggressively revoke” visas for Chinese students, specifically those with connections to the ruling party or studying in “critical fields”, while tightening scrutiny of visa applications from mainland China and Hong Kong.

Foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning on Thursday called the move “politically motivated and discriminatory”, saying it had used ideology and national security as a pretext and would “further damage” America’s global image and reputation.

Yun Sun, director of the China programme and co-director of the East Asia programme at the Stimson Centre in Washington, said much remained unclear about the latest plan, as specific criteria for visa revocation and its potential scope had yet to be disclosed.