The Chinese Foreign Ministry has strongly criticized the United States' revocation of Harvard University's authority to enroll international students, calling it a politically motivated move that undermines global educational cooperation. Spokesperson Mao Ning addressed the issue during a Friday press briefing, emphasizing China's commitment to protecting its citizens pursuing academic opportunities abroad.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security terminated Harvard's SEVIS Program certification on Thursday, immediately affecting current international students who must now transfer institutions or risk losing legal residency status. The move follows warnings from the Trump administration about expanding restrictions to other universities.
"This decision contradicts America's self-proclaimed values of openness and academic freedom," Mao stated, noting that over 370,000 Chinese students currently study in the U.S. She added: "Educational exchanges should bridge civilizations, not become casualties of geopolitical maneuvering."
Analysts suggest the development could accelerate shifting academic partnerships in Asia, with institutions in the Chinese mainland and Singapore seeing increased interest from international scholars. The controversy comes as U.S. universities face financial pressures from declining foreign enrollments during pandemic recovery efforts.
