“US restricts Chinese participation in public diplomacy exchange programs”

Kyodo News “It appears to be due to Chinese authorities’ interference with Chinese participants.”

(Tokyo = Yonhap News) Correspondent Cho Seong-mi = Kyodo News reported on the 10th that it was confirmed that the U.S. government stopped recruiting Chinese participants in expert exchange programs conducted with countries around the world in July.

Citing multiple officials, the news agency reported that the U.S. government is currently restricting Chinese participation in programs such as the 'International Visitor Leadership Program' (IVLP) and the 'Professional Fellows Program' (PFP).

The International Visitor Leadership Program is a representative U.S. public diplomacy program conducted by the U.S. State Department by inviting next-generation leaders from around the world. Former Presidents Kim Young-sam and Kim Dae-jung of South Korea and former Premier Li Keqiang of China have participated.

The purpose of the Professional Fellows program is for the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) to invite talented young middle-management leaders from around the world to the United States to build sustainable partnerships with American experts.

It is reported that in previous years, dozens of people from China were invited to these programs every year and communicated with the U.S. on a variety of topics, including diplomacy, counterterrorism measures, and artificial intelligence (AI).

Kyodo News said that an internal U.S. document released in August revealed the perception by U.S. embassies in China that the Chinese authorities were "excessively interfering" with their citizens' visits to the United States or participation in U.S. training, and that this attitude of the Chinese authorities appears to be the reason for the suspension of Chinese recruitment for U.S. exchange programs.

The news agency reported that there were cases of Chinese participants being harassed, threatened, or arrested by Chinese authorities for participating in American programs.

Professor Ian Chong of the National University of Singapore pointed out to this media outlet, "Behind the rhetoric that creates a friendly atmosphere, there are restrictions on U.S.-China exchanges."