China urged the United States not to take discriminatory and restrictive measures against Chinese students in the name of national security concerns, said Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning at a regular press briefing in Beijing on Thursday.
Chairman of the House Select Committee on China John Moolenaa on Wednesday wrote to six American universities, including Stanford University and Purdue University, requiring them to provide detailed information on Chinese students studying there by April 1, alleging that China had planted researchers in top U.S. institutions to give them direct access to dual-use sensitive technologies.
"The number of Chinese students studying in the United States accounts for about a quarter of all international students. Educational cooperation has not only expanded the channels for students of the two countries to communicate and enhanced the understanding between the two peoples, but also helped promote the economic prosperity and technological development of the United States, which is in the interests of both sides. We urge the United States to stop generalizing national security, earnestly protect the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese students, and not take discriminatory and restrictive measures against Chinese students," said Mao.
China urges US not to take discriminatory, restrictive measures against Chinese students: spokeswoman
The Yangtze River Delta, one of China's most economically vibrant regions, saw its import and export value reaching new historical highs in the first two months of this year as the region further strengthened its international competitiveness in high-tech products.
According to the latest customs data, the total import and export value of the Yangtze River Delta region in the first two months of this year reached 2.5 trillion yuan (about 344.9 billion U.S. dollars), outpacing the national growth rate by 2.3 percentage points. The region's share of China's total foreign trade rose to 38.2 percent, underscoring its continued role as a pillar of the nation's foreign trade.
Among the highlights, integrated circuit exports amounted to 75.77 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 14.8 percent. The export of high-tech products reached 347.67 billion yuan, growing by 6.7 percent compared to last year. Meanwhile, industrial robot exports saw an impressive jump of 48.3 percent, totaling 650 million yuan. These robots now account for more than half of China's total industrial robot exports, reaching 51.6 percent and are being sold to 82 countries and regions worldwide.
"Currently, the Yangtze River Delta region has formed a development trend of concentrated growth across the entire industrial chain of domestic robots. The export share of high-tech products -- an advantageous industry in the region -- continues to grow. This not only reflects our country's constant upgrading within the global industrial chain, but also provides a solid foundation for the high-quality development of the regional economy," said Li Jirong, an official with Shanghai Customs.
In the first two months of this year, the region saw steady growth in trade with ASEAN countries, nations involved in the Belt and Road Initiative, and other members of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).
Additionally, the region's high-quality business environment and well-established industrial supply chains have created favorable conditions for the growth of private enterprises. These enterprises have been actively exploring opportunities in digital transformation, brand development, and international expansion, which has effectively contributed to the acceleration of export growth.
In the first two months of this year, private enterprises in the Yangtze River Delta reported an import and export value of 1.39 trillion yuan, accounting for 37.6 percent of the total import and export value of private enterprises nationwide, highlighting their growing role as a key force in driving the region's foreign trade development.
China's Yangtze River Delta sees vigorous growth in foreign trade
