The Chinese Foreign Ministry condemned the US government’s recent move to revoke Harvard University’s Student and Exchange Visitor (SEVIS) Programme certification, effectively barring the prestigious school from enrolling international students.

At a regular press briefing last Friday (May 23), spokesperson Mao Ning criticised the decision, reiterating China’s firm opposition to the politicisation of educational exchanges.

She warned that such actions would damage the United States’ global image and credibility.

“Education cooperation between China and the US has been mutually beneficial,” Mao stated. “China will resolutely safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of its students and scholars abroad.”

A day earlier, President Donald Trump’s administration banned the Massachusetts-based university from enrolling international students and is forcing current foreign students to transfer to other schools or lose their legal status, while also threatening to expand the crackdown to other colleges.