U.S. Urged to Stop Harming Rights of Chinese Students, Protect Educational Cooperation

The United States should stop overstretching the concept of national security, according to Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning. She urged the U.S. to refrain from harming the rights of Chinese students.

Mao made these remarks at a regular news conference. This comes after a U.S. House committee said its chairman sent a letter to six American universities on Wednesday. The letter requested information on their policies and practices regarding the enrollment of Chinese national students.

John Moolenaar, chairman of the House Select Committee on China, accused China of "embedding" researchers in leading U.S. institutions. He claimed that this gives them "direct exposure to sensitive technologies with dual-use military applications".

Mao dismissed Moolenaar's remarks. She said that China-U.S. educational cooperation has enhanced mutual understanding between people on both sides. She also said that it has facilitated the U.S.' economic prosperity and technological development.

Mao noted that students from China account for about one fourth of the total number of international students in the U.S. She said that such cooperation is in line with the interests of both countries.

Mao also said that the U.S. should protect the legitimate and lawful rights of Chinese students effectively. She said that the U.S. must not adopt discriminatory or limiting measures against them.