Mao Ning profile photo Photo: official website of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs

In response to a question about US House "Select Committee on the CCP" chairman John Moolenaar on Wednesday sending letters to six US universities, requesting information about Chinese students over so-called national security concerns, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Thursday that Chinese students in the US account for about one-fourth of the total number of international students in the US, and educational cooperation not only expands exchange opportunities for students from both countries and enhances mutual understanding between their peoples, but also contributes to the prosperity of the US economy and the advancement of science and technology, serving the interests of both sides. 

According to the committee, Moolenaar sent a letter to the Presidents of Carnegie Mellon, Purdue University, Stanford University, the University of Illinois, the University of Maryland, and the University of Southern California, requesting information on each of their policies and practices regarding the enrollment of Chinese national students in advanced STEM programs, and questioning their involvement in federally funded research.

Moolenaar said that China has embedded researchers in leading US institutions, providing them with direct exposure to sensitive technologies with dual-use military applications. "If left unaddressed, this trend will continue to displace American talent, compromise research integrity, and fuel China's technological ambitions at our expense," Moolenaar said.

"We urge the US to stop overstretching the concept of national security and to genuinely protect the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese students and not impose discriminatory and restrictive measures against them," Mao said.