US detention of Chinese students condemned

China expressed opposition on Monday to the United States' unreasonably detaining, interrogating and repatriating Chinese students, and vowed to take necessary measures to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese citizens.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin made the remarks after three Chinese students were reportedly detained and interrogated by US Customs and Border Protection and Department of Homeland Security personnel for an extended period of time.

Another Chinese student was accused by the FBI, under Presidential Proclamation 10043, of "intentionally concealing military education experience" and committing "visa fraud," which could carry a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, according to Chinaqw.com, a website that provides comprehensive information services to overseas Chinese.

Wang told a daily news briefing that, for political purposes, the US has fabricated accusations against Chinese students, which is wanton oppression and persecution.

Wang said that people-to-people exchanges form the foundation for public support of China-US relations, of which academic as well as scientific and technological exchanges are an important part.

During US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's visit to China in June, the two countries agreed to expand people-to-people and educational exchanges.

The US repeatedly claims to support bilateral educational and other kinds of people-to-people exchanges and to welcome Chinese students, but in fact, has continued the wrong practice of the previous presidential administration of restricting and thwarting Chinese students planning to study or conduct research in the US, Wang said.

Such moves harm the lawful rights and interests of Chinese students in the US and undermine normal bilateral people-to-people exchanges and educational cooperation, he said.

Wang urged the US to withdraw the biased and discriminatory Proclamation 10043 and stop overstretching the concept of national security to oppress Chinese students in the US.

China will also remind students heading for the US to be mindful of such risks, he added.