China demands protections for students amid US security scrutiny

Beijing has called for protections for Chinese students in the U.S. following a congressional request for detailed information from six American universities about these students, citing national security concerns. The letter, sent by John Moolenaar, chair of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, alleged that the Chinese government could be embedding researchers in U.S. institutions to access sensitive technologies. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning emphasized that Chinese students make up about one-quarter of international students in the U.S. and contribute significantly to the country's economy and technological advancement. She urged the U.S. to avoid discriminatory measures against these students and to respect their rights. The universities involved include prominent institutions such as Stanford and Carnegie Mellon, which are under scrutiny for potentially compromising American research in exchange for financial incentives.