China issues warning to students, academics on studying in the US amid trade war

China on Monday issued a warning to students and academics about the risks of studying in the United States amid the trade war between the two nations, Reuters reported.

The Ministry of Education said that some students seeking to study in the U.S. had encountered problems with the duration of their visas being limited and an increase in visa refusals.

{mosads}“This has affected Chinese students going to study in the United States or smoothly completing their studies,” the statement said, according to Reuters.

“The education ministry reminds students and academics of the need to strengthen risk assessment before studying abroad, enhance prevention awareness, and make corresponding preparations.”

Trade negotiations between the world’s two largest economies faltered early in May.

As a result, the Trump administration raised tariffs from 10 percent to 25 percent on $200 billion of imports, a move China responded to by targeting $60 billion worth of U.S. agricultural exports.

The president has threatened another round of tariffs on Chinese imports if a trade deal is not reached.

The editor of the widely read Chinese newspaper the Global Times linked the warning to that trade dispute.

“This warning is a response to recent series of discriminatory measures the U.S. took against Chinese students and can also be seen as a response to the U.S.-initiated trade war,” Hu Xijin tweeted. 

Based on information I received, China will issue a warning on the risk of studying in the US. This warning is a response to recent series of discriminatory measures the US took against Chinese students and can also be seen as a response to the US-initiated trade war.

— Hu Xijin 胡锡进 (@HuXijin_GT) June 3, 2019

Roughly 360,000 Chinese nationals study in the U.S. every year, per Reuters.