US repatriated Chinese students under far-fetched or even ludicrous pretexts - Spokesperson

Wang Wenbin: On August 15, three Chinese students were interrogated by the US side upon entry at the Houston Airport, after which they were repatriated to China on the grounds that they were either funded by the Chinese government or suspected of having military background because photos of military training were found in their personal cellphones. China deplores and rejects this, and has lodged solemn representations with the US side. The US repatriated the Chinese students under far-fetched or even ludicrous pretexts. This severely infringes upon the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese students pursuing studies in the US and gravely disrupts normal people-to-people and cultural exchanges and education cooperation between the two sides. Such discriminatory practice targeting students from a specific country runs counter to the much-touted vision of openness and freedom and the statement of welcoming Chinese students by the US. It also runs counter to the trend for talent exchange of our times.