Amid escalating trade tensions and a stricter stance in Ohio, China has issued a cautious advisory urging its students to assess potential risks before studying in certain U.S. states. The warning, issued on April 9, coincided with a travel advisory from China’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism, which recommended that citizens carefully evaluate the risks of traveling to the U.S. due to ongoing geopolitical concerns.
The advisory, which remains relatively mild, encourages students to be aware of restrictive legislation, particularly referencing Ohio’s new higher education law. This law, signed on March 28, limits collaborations with China, including banning public universities from accepting Chinese donations and requiring heightened scrutiny of new partnerships with Chinese institutions.
Despite the alert reflecting rising sensitivities in U.S.-China academic relations, industry experts argue that it is more of a critique of U.S. policy than a direct attempt to deter students. David Weeks, CEO of Sunrise International Marketing, stated, “The advisory expresses dissatisfaction with U.S. policies but is not intended to stop travel.”
While Ohio’s legislation has drawn significant protests, its restrictions on Chinese collaboration are not as severe as those in Texas or Florida. Most Chinese families, according to experts, have already factored in safety and crime statistics in their decisions about where to study.
Nevertheless, the warning and the broader context of U.S.-China tensions have influenced international student trends. There has been a noticeable shift towards the UK and Australia as preferred study destinations, with increasing numbers of Chinese students applying to institutions in these countries. According to China’s 2025 Higher Education Internationalization White Paper, the UK is now considered one of the most attractive destinations for Chinese students.
The ongoing trade war, coupled with political uncertainty, means that the full impact on student mobility remains unclear. Grace Zhu of BONARD China suggested that students diversify their applications to institutions across multiple countries to mitigate potential risks.
As for the longer-term effects on cultural exchange between China and the U.S., experts believe that the situation remains fluid, with public sentiment potentially shifting depending on the outcome of the trade disputes and the overall political climate.
Despite a slight decrease in F-1 student visa issuances to China in recent years, the U.S. remains a stable destination for Chinese students, with the total number of visas issued to Chinese students in February 2025 holding steady. However, the impact of these diplomatic tensions on U.S. higher education institutions and future enrollment trends remains to be seen.
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