• China urges the US to halt interrogations of Chinese students.
• Reports indicate Chinese students face detentions in "small dark rooms" for over 70 hours.
• Over 5,000 Chinese students were denied visas or deported by the US between 2021 and March 2024.
• The US claims national security concerns drive stricter scrutiny of Chinese students.

China has publicly condemned the United States for reportedly interrogating Chinese students at the border, taking them into "small, dark rooms" for durations exceeding 70 hours. Mao Ning, a spokeswoman for the Chinese foreign ministry, stated that such actions constitute discrimination and infringe upon the legal rights of Chinese citizens. She called these measures “politically motivated” and detrimental to U.S.-China relations and cultural exchanges, demanding the U.S. to investigate and remedy its actions accordingly, according to Newsweek, South China Morning Post, and Channel News Asia.

At a recent press conference, Mao detailed how these students are subjected to repeated and prolonged interrogations unrelated to their studies, often culminating in visa cancellations and entry denials under pretexts of national security. She lamented that such discriminatory practices severely obstruct normal personnel exchanges between the two nations, thereby undermining diplomatic and cultural relations, as highlighted by South China Morning Post and Channel News Asia.

Data reveals that over 5,000 Chinese students and scholars were denied U.S. visas or deported between 2021 and March 2024, a significant number attributed to strict enforcement of immigration policies instigated under the Trump administration. These policies have included heightened scrutiny for students from mainland China and Hong Kong, with particular focus on those in high-tech fields or associated with the Chinese Communist Party. Mao criticized the U.S. government's "weaponization" of academic standards, claiming it undermines the freedom of academia, according to Newsweek and Channel News Asia.

Recent statements from U.S. officials indicate that the scrutiny on foreign students remains a priority. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has committed to enforcing tougher visa regulations for applicants from China, citing national security concerns. He emphasized that the administration's goal is to revoke visas that are deemed risky, as reported by South China Morning Post and Channel News Asia.