China News Service, Beijing, January 31 (Reporter Zhang Su) Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin hosted a regular press conference on the 31st.
A reporter asked: According to reports, a Chinese student was once again interrogated when entering the United States at Washington Dulles Airport. U.S. law enforcement officials repeatedly asked the person about his political background and scientific research status, and required him to provide internal information about the Chinese government as a condition of release. After the person refused, the United States made the decision to cancel his visa, deny entry, and forcibly deport him. What is China's comment?
Wang Wenbin: For some time, the United States has frequently harassed, interrogated, and deported Chinese students studying in the United States for political purposes. According to incomplete statistics, at Washington Dulles Airport alone, since the end of November 2023, at least eight Chinese students holding legal and valid documents have been harassed, interrogated and deported by the United States for no reason.
The relevant actions of the U.S. law enforcement agencies seriously violated the legitimate rights and interests of the parties involved, seriously interfered with Sino-U.S. cultural exchanges and personnel exchanges, and seriously violated the consensus reached by the Chinese and U.S. presidents on strengthening and facilitating exchanges between the two peoples. China has lodged stern representations with the United States.
The United States prides itself on openness, inclusiveness and academic freedom, and claims that "science knows no borders." However, it politicizes and weaponizes academic research, abuses the concept of "national security" to suppress and persecute Chinese students, infringes on the legitimate rights and basic human rights of Chinese citizens, and creates a "chill" Effect", poisoning the atmosphere of cultural exchanges between China and the United States.
In recent cases, U.S. law enforcement officials have unabashedly used language to induce and infiltrate victims, directly threatening China's national security. This kind of behavior by the United States carries strong ideological bias and has no bottom line. It is discriminatory and political law enforcement disguised as law enforcement. It will eventually damage the image of the United States itself.
We urge the U.S. to implement President Biden's statement and the consensus reached by the two heads of state at their meeting in San Francisco, immediately stop using the so-called "national security" as an excuse to suppress and restrict Chinese students studying in the U.S., effectively protect the safety and legitimate rights and interests of Chinese students and scholars in the U.S., and work for China. Eliminate obstacles to people-to-people and cultural exchanges and personnel exchanges between the United States and the United States. China will take resolute measures to safeguard national security and the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese citizens. (over)