[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] On the 17th, Nihon Keizai Shimbun reported that India has surpassed China to become the country with the largest proportion of international students in the United States. As US-China tensions intensify and China’s 'Zero COVID' policy continues, the number of Chinese international students in the US has decreased, while Indian international students have significantly increased.
Nihon Keizai Shimbun cited data from the US Department of State, reporting that the number of Chinese international students holding US student visas (F1) from October last year to September this year was about 56,000, down from 80,000 a year earlier. During this period, the number of Indian international students holding F1 visas exceeded 100,000.
The proportion of Chinese among F1 visa holders was 43% in 2015 but dropped to 25% last year and is expected to fall to 20% this year. In India’s case, it increased from 12% in 2015 to 22% last year and is expected to expand to 30% this year.
Previously, the reversal in the ranking of the proportion of Chinese and Indian international students in the US also occurred in 2020. However, at that time, it was immediately after the COVID-19 outbreak, and the total number of F1 visa issuances was reduced to about one-third compared to previous years due to special circumstances. Nihon Keizai explained, "This year, the total number of visa issuances is similar to previous years, but it is certain that India has taken the lead."
The significant decrease in China, which had the highest proportion of international students in the US, is due to the ongoing US-China tensions from the former Trump administration to the current Biden administration. US authorities have cracked down on technology transfers to China, putting pressure on Chinese international students. In this process, a survey conducted in September last year on 3,400 Chinese people showed that 64% of young people aged 25-34 held anti-American sentiments, higher than 57% among those aged 65 and older.
Additionally, Chinese President Xi Jinping’s Zero COVID policy and the implementation of China-centric policies also act as factors preventing Chinese students from studying in the US. Nihon Keizai reported, "Many senior Communist Party officials and wealthy families in China have sent their children to study in the US to build networks and gain advantages in employment, but recently there have been claims that studying at Chinese higher education institutions is more advantageous for employment."
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