‘It’s the new Chinese Exclusion Act’: how a Trump order could hurt California universities
- Schools fear losing essential source of research talent after president’s decision to ban entry of some Chinese graduate students to US
- Order targets researchers associated with institutions linked to Chinese military
US President Donald Trump’s recent decision to halt entry of some Chinese graduate students to the US is sowing broad anxiety, particularly in California, as universities fear they could lose an essential source of research talent.
US officials say that Trump’s order, which took effect last week, is aimed at safeguarding national security by barring Chinese graduate students and researchers associated with institutions deemed to support China’s “military-civil fusion strategy”.
That strategy, the order says, involves Chinese efforts to acquire foreign technologies to advance China’s military capabilities.
In a news briefing last week, State Department officials stressed that Chinese students and scholars pursuing legitimate studies in the country would continue to be welcomed and that the order will affect only a small number who could be used by the People’s Liberation Army to divert or steal sensitive technologies.
“It sends out a message: now we are targeting Chinese students. When I came to the United States, I was imagining a country that is open, inclusive and welcoming, but I’m really disappointed
“American universities and research laboratories should not be used to contribute to PRC goals of military dominance,” a State Department representative said.
University officials say that concern about Chinese theft of US intellectual property is legitimate.