Japan's Kyodo News English website reported on the 9th that informed sources revealed that the United States had suspended the recruitment of participants for government-sponsored professional exchange programs in China, Hong Kong and Macau at the end of July because the Chinese authorities were harassing those who wanted to participate in the program. However, this measure does not affect the exchange programs in Taiwan handled by the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) on behalf of Washington.
This move contrasts with recent statements by the leaders of China and the United States that they are committed to improving relations. In May this year, U.S. President Trump visited Beijing and agreed with Chinese President Xi Jinping to establish a "constructive strategic and stable relationship." When Xi Jinping returned to Washington in September, he also announced that China would invite up to 100,000 American youths to participate in exchange and study abroad programs in the next five years.
Some of the professional exchange programs that have suspended recruitment in the United States have been running for decades. Every year, dozens of Chinese people are invited to the United States with other international participants. The stay ranges from two weeks to a year. The study topics cover foreign policy, counter-terrorism, artificial intelligence, network security and other fields.
The programs that have stopped recruiting this time include the International Visitor Leadership Program and the Professional Fellows Program. People familiar with the matter pointed out that well-known alumni of these projects include the late former Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, former Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, and current Hong Kong Secretary for Security Tang Bingqiang.
Carrie Lam and Tang Bingqiang have been sanctioned by the United States since Beijing implemented the Hong Kong National Security Law in Hong Kong in 2020.
An August internal memo obtained by Kyodo News stated that U.S. diplomatic agencies believe that Chinese authorities have exerted "excessive interference" in Chinese citizens' participation in U.S. government-sponsored visit and training programs in the United States. The memo noted that some people were forced to withdraw from the program, while others were harassed, threatened, and sometimes even arrested, in part in connection with their participation in the exchange program.
Two people familiar with China's recruitment efforts said the suspension was decided by the U.S. State Department, despite objections from U.S. Ambassador to China David Pond. Pang Dewei is a long-time trusted ally of Trump. The source pointed out that the decision-making seemed to be taken in a "top-down" manner, and the six U.S. diplomatic missions in China were never consulted before the decision was made.
Some exchange programs were suspended earlier this year due to cost savings, but people familiar with the matter said the full suspension was still a "completely unexpected" decision.
Zhuang Jiaying, assistant professor of political science at the National University of Singapore, pointed out that the willingness of Chinese and American leaders to cooperate may not be translated into actual actions by government agencies on both sides. It remains to be seen whether Beijing will implement Xi Jinping’s promise to invite American youths to China for exchanges. "Behind the friendly rhetoric, the reality of day-to-day exchanges between Washington and Beijing is still subject to considerable constraints," Zhuang Jiaying said.
