US Panel Seeks Data on Chinese Students in STEM

A US congressional panel led by John Moolenaar has requested detailed information from six American universities, including Stanford and Carnegie Mellon, about Chinese students in their science and technology programs, citing national security concerns. Moolenaar alleges that China is embedding students in US research programs to access sensitive technologies with potential military applications. In response, China's Foreign Ministry has criticized the move, urging the US to refrain from overstretching national security concepts and to protect the rights of Chinese students, who contribute significantly to US economic and technological development. The letters sent to the universities seek specific data, including student tuition sources and research involvement. Moolenaar claims that the student visa system has become a 'Trojan Horse' for Beijing, potentially compromising US research integrity. This development reflects ongoing tensions over educational collaboration and technology security between the US and China.