Times Higher Education (THE) recently inquired about the implications of reports suggesting that the Trump administration may intensify efforts to revoke visas for Chinese students studying in the United States. This development follows earlier measures under Presidential Proclamation 10043 issued on May 29, 2020, which already impacted Chinese student mobility.
The Managing Director expressed concern that the reported visa policy intensification risks further undermining academic exchanges between China and the United States. This could deepen existing challenges to international educational cooperation, impacting students, institutions, and bilateral relations.
In anticipation of these changes, the Managing Director expects the Chinese government will respond not only with diplomatic statements but also by actively expanding educational collaborations with other countries. Domestic institutions, including those in Hong Kong and Macau, as well as transnational education institutions and joint academic programs, are likely to increase student intake—following a model similar to the flexible and innovative approaches adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Prospective students are advised to proactively explore diverse academic pathways. This includes considering study destinations beyond the United States and evaluating high-quality transnational education institutions and programs within China, such as Duke Kunshan University, New York University Shanghai, and Wenzhou-Kean University. Students should avoid relying solely on unpredictable policy developments and instead take a comprehensive, long-term approach to their academic and professional planning. The Managing Director anticipates that other international destinations and transnational education programs in China will experience increased interest.
The Managing Director also highlighted that while such policy measures may be framed as strategic national decisions, their consequences at the individual level can be severe—potentially disrupting students’ academic progress and life plans. Given the high cost of uncertainty, students are encouraged to take proactive steps rather than waiting passively for policy changes.
The Managing Director’s response underscores the importance of adaptability and long-term planning in the face of evolving international education policies. Continued efforts toward educational collaboration and diversification of academic opportunities remain vital to support Chinese students’ aspirations and global academic exchange.
The report by Times Higher Education can be found here.