A survivor of Mao’s Cultural Revolution, Xi Van Fleet, has raised concerns over President Donald Trump’s proposal to admit 600,000 Chinese college students to U.S. institutions. Speaking to Fox News Digital, Van Fleet expressed bewilderment over the decision, stating that allowing these students access to U.S. technology and sciences could pose significant risks. She warned that many of these students are the children of China’s elite, and their presence could be a threat to national interests.
The White House clarified that the proposal is a continuation of existing policy and not an increase in student visas. Critics, however, argue that the number may not be accurate due to China’s financial challenges, with some suggesting that the influx of students may not materialize as planned. The debate highlights broader concerns about the implications of academic exchange programs and their potential impact on U.S. national security and economic interests.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick defended the plan last week on ‘The Ingraham Angle,’ stating that it was in the country’s economic interest. He argued that without the 600,000 students, the top-tier institutions would be emptied, and the smaller colleges might go out of business. However, Van Fleet remains unconvinced, emphasizing that China is facing financial difficulties and that the middle class has been eroded, making it unlikely that a large number of students will come to America despite the policy change.
When asked what she would want to say to Trump, she suggested allowing Chinese students to study in the humanities rather than important fields like science and technology. She expressed hope that these students could spread Western ideas, such as ‘woke’ culture, back to China, undermining the Chinese Communist Party’s influence.