US State Department shortens Chinese student visa’s for critical technological sectors

Beginning today, the United States will start giving shortened visas to Chinese international students that study in critical technological and industrial sectors.

Chinese students studying in the US have been identified by Washington as a threat to national security given their potential to leak key US technology back to Beijing. Chinese graduate students studying robotics, aviation and high technology manufacturing will be limited to 1 year visas, because these fields have been identified as integral to Beijing’s Made in China 2025 plan.

Introducing greater visa restrictions is unlikely to stifle any alleged flow of key US technology to Beijing – data transfers can be done instantly. Washington’s crackdown on Chinese students is systemic of the current US-China geopolitical climate, where Washington pushes Beijing further away to bargain for greater concessions. Deals made with China – for example, those made at the June 2, US commerce delegation visit to Beijing – are contingent on the proposed US tariffs being cancelled.

This Friday, following the G7 meeting, and Trump’s first talks with Kim Jong Un tomorrow, the US will announce which tariffs will go forward. Expect student visa restrictions to be bargained away.