CNN – HONG KONG
The Trump administration’s recent decision to prevent Harvard University from enrolling international students has sparked backlash in China, where it is being widely viewed as another example of intensifying U.S.-China tensions. A spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated on Friday that China “firmly opposes the politicization of educational exchanges,” arguing that the U.S. move “will ultimately damage its own global image and reputation.”
Chinese social media users echoed this sentiment. On Weibo, a platform similar to X (formerly Twitter), some users mocked the decision, with one comment stating, “It’s amusing to see them weaken themselves,” which received hundreds of likes. Another user quipped, “Trump saves us again,” questioning whether Harvard could maintain its prestige without the influx of international students, which has traditionally been a key source of talent.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) made the announcement as part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to exert greater control over international students, a campaign closely tied to its larger immigration agenda. As part of this effort, hundreds of student visas have been revoked across the U.S.
Tensions between Harvard and the Trump administration have been escalating for months, especially around the university’s response to student activism linked to the Israel-Hamas conflict. The administration has accused foreign students and staff of involvement in disruptive campus protests. However, the visa revocations reflect more than just a standoff between the White House and one university—they are part of the broader geopolitical struggle between the U.S. and China.
China has long been the top source of international students in the U.S., but this longstanding academic relationship is now being disrupted by escalating political and economic disputes, including trade and technology conflicts.
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem justified the action by accusing Harvard of “promoting violence, antisemitism, and collaborating with the Chinese Communist Party on its campus.”
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