China is calling on the U.S. to stop harassing Chinese travelers, especially students and scholars, at American borders. ✋🛂
On Tuesday, a spokesperson for China's Embassy in the United States urged American authorities to end what it calls unjustified harassment of Chinese citizens entering or leaving the U.S.
According to the spokesperson, U.S. border officials have been continuously interrogating, detaining, and deporting Chinese nationals, particularly students and scholars, under the pretext of national security.
Since July 2021, nearly 300 Chinese citizens have been deported by the U.S., including over 70 students who held legal and valid documents. 😲
Recent incidents at Washington Dulles International Airport highlight the growing tension. Since November 2023, there have been 10 cases where Chinese students faced harassment, lengthy interrogations, visa cancellations, and deportations.
One such case in December 2023 involved a Chinese visiting scholar who was subjected to a 10-hour interrogation in a 'small black room'. Officials asked about the scholar's political affiliations and searched personal electronic devices. The scholar's visa was canceled, and they were permanently banned from entering the U.S.
In February 2024, another scholar was detained for 22 hours at San Francisco International Airport, facing a grueling 12-hour interrogation before being deported and banned for five years.
These incidents are causing concern in Beijing. The embassy spokesperson emphasized that such actions 'gravely infringe on legitimate and lawful rights and interests' of Chinese citizens and 'disturb normal cross-border travel' between the two countries.
China has lodged formal complaints with U.S. authorities, urging them to halt these practices. The spokesperson reminded that both presidents had agreed to enhance people-to-people exchanges back on April 2.
The Chinese government is standing firm, stating it 'will not tolerate any illegal and unfair treatment of Chinese students' and is committed to protecting the rights and interests of its citizens.
🌏✈️ As tensions rise, many are hopeful for a resolution that promotes friendly interactions and mutual understanding between the two nations.
Reference(s):
China iterates call to U.S. to stop harassing Chinese citizens
cgtn.com
