• Harvard University's connections to China have drawn accusations from the Trump administration of fostering influence operations.
• A recent move to revoke the university's ability to enroll foreign students has raised concerns over free speech and political motivations.
• Chinese nationals comprised about a fifth of Harvard's foreign students in 2024.
• A U.S. judge has temporarily blocked the administration's order against Harvard.
• Critics warn the government's actions may undermine educational exchanges with China.

Harvard University’s longstanding ties to China, once viewed as an asset, are now considered a liability following accusations from the Trump administration, which claims the campus is influenced by "Beijing-backed influence operations." Lawmakers, particularly Republicans, are worried about China's alleged manipulation of Harvard to gain access to U.S. technologies and to stifle criticism. A White House official stated, "For too long, Harvard has let the Chinese Communist Party exploit it,” alleging that the university ignored on-campus harassment orchestrated by pro-CCP elements, according to Reuters and Channel News Asia.

The administration's recent decision to revoke Harvard’s ability to enroll foreign students has sparked controversy, as Harvard argues this constitutes a punishment for its "perceived viewpoint" and violates First Amendment rights. A U.S. judge has temporarily blocked this order after Harvard filed a lawsuit, prompting discussions about the implications for future foreign students, particularly those from China, who made up approximately 20% of the university's foreign intake in 2024, according to India Times, Reuters, and Channel News Asia.

The complexities surrounding Harvard’s collaborations with China, including research partnerships and an academic center focused on China, have sparked criticism from various lawmakers. Concerns were particularly heightened after Harvard provided public health training to officials from the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps (XPCC), an organization sanctioned by the U.S. government for alleged human rights abuses. These engagements continued into 2024, raising additional scrutiny of Harvard's foreign relations, according to Reuters, Channel News Asia, and India Times.

In light of these developments, former Harvard President Larry Summers stated that the administration's actions against the university represent a significant challenge to its status, calling it "the most serious attack on the university to date." He noted that undermining Harvard's role as a hub for international education is detrimental to U.S. global leadership. Concurrently, the Chinese embassy in Washington emphasized the mutual benefits of educational exchanges and urged against stigmatization, as reported by Channel News Asia and Reuters.

Furthermore, Harvard's connections have come under fire due to the involvement of prominent donors, such as Ronnie Chan, who made a substantial donation to fund the university's public health school. Chan is linked to the China-United States Exchange Foundation, classified as a foreign principal under U.S. law. Critics argue that such affiliations reveal a deeper level of complexity in Harvard's dealings with China, as mentioned by India Times and Reuters.