China lures science, technology talent amid US immigration crackdown

BEIJING:  China will issue a new type of visa — a K visa– to young science and technology talents entering the country, state-run news agency Xinhua reported on Thursday, citing amendments to China’s entry and exit administration regulations.

The amended regulations will come into effect on October 1 at a time when the United States is witnessing a crackdown on immigration and top universities under the Trump administration.

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However, the report did not provide details on the requirements for visa application.

Premier Li Qiang has signed a State Council decree to promulgate the decision to amend the country’s regulation on the administration of foreigners’ entries and exits.

According to the decision, China will add a K visa to its ordinary visa categories, available to eligible young science and technology professionals.

Xinhua said, “Applicants for this visa must meet the qualifications and requirements set by relevant Chinese authorities and submit supporting documentation.”

“According to the decision, China will add a K visa to its ordinary visa categories, available to eligible young science and technology professionals.”

However, it said applicants for this visa must meet the qualifications and requirements set by relevant Chinese authorities and submit supporting documentation.

TRADE WAR = IMMIGRATION WAR

As soon as Trump won the US presidential election, it was clear that he would move ahead with his agenda on immigration to please his far-right support base.

He and his voters are of a firm belief that the immigrants are snatching jobs from the White Americans. Among the examples they cite is the large of Indians leading the US firms.

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Moreover, Trump launched a crackdown on US universities which he say are promoting ideals opposite to the “Make America Great Again”.

That’s why countries around the world started promising better opportunities and future to both students and professionals.

An earlier Reuters report discussed it, which said universities around the world are seeking to offer refuge for students impacted by Trump’s crackdown on academic institutions, targeting top talent and a slice of the billions of dollars in academic revenue in the United States.

Osaka University, one of the top ranked in Japan, is offering tuition fee waivers, research grants and help with travel arrangements for students and researchers at US institutions who want to transfer.

Japan’s Kyoto University and Tokyo University are also considering similar schemes, while Hong Kong has instructed its universities to attract top talent from the United States.

Similarly, China’s Xi’an Jiaotong University has appealed for students at Harvard, singled out in Trump’s crackdown, promising “streamlined” admissions and “comprehensive” support.

Chinese students have been particularly targeted in Trump’s crackdown, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday pledging to “aggressively” crack down on their visas.

CHINESE AND INDIAN STUDENTS

More than 275,000 Chinese students are enrolled in hundreds of US colleges, providing a major source of revenue for the schools and a crucial pipeline of talent for US technology companies.

International students — 54 per cent of them from India and China — contributed more than $50 billion to the US economy in 2023, according to the US Department of Commerce.

Trump’s crackdown came at a critical period in the international student application process, as many young people prepare to travel to the US in August to find accommodation and settle in before term started.