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‘Xenophobic’ US ban on Chinese student visas provokes backlash from Americans and Beijing
China’s foreign ministry earlier hit back against Rubio’s plan to revoke visas but its embassy’s ‘solemn démarche’ marks an escalation
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Bochen Hanin Washington
The Chinese embassy in Washington lodged an official protest with the United States on Thursday amid a growing backlash about a decision to “aggressively” revoke Chinese student visas that has prompted accusations of xenophobia.
The formal protest – officially known as a “démarche” – came a day after Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that his department would work with the Department of Homeland Security to cancel the visas of Chinese students.
These include students working in “critical fields” and with “connections” to the Communist Party. The plans also include increased scrutiny of future visa applicants from mainland China and Hong Kong.
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China’s foreign ministry had hit back against the move earlier in the day, but the embassy’s move marks an escalation.
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Absurd, anxious, concerned: Students react to US revoking Chinese student visas
Absurd, anxious, concerned: Students react to US revoking Chinese student visas
While démarches are a routine diplomatic tool, they are not usually delivered publicly.
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