Us Universities: Chinese Students Under Surveillance?

Chinese students studying in the United States are under surveillance by the Chinese government, which seeks to prevent them from engaging with 'sensitive' or political issues while overseas. This is part of a wider campaign of transnational repression by the Chinese authorities, which has also targeted Hong Kong students.

In the United States, Chinese students are monitored by Chinese intelligence officers with online surveillance and an array of informants. Students who don't conform to the views and ideology of the Chinese Communist Party are at risk of being targeted for harassment, and there have been reports of students being followed, photographed, and even doxxed for their activism.

In response, some universities have tried to implement measures to protect the academic freedom of Chinese students. However, others have been accused of turning a blind eye to the issue, with some even prioritizing financial gain over the safety of their students.

Chinese students in the US fear their government is listening in on politically sensitive topics

Chinese students in the US are increasingly feeling pressured to act as pawns in the espionage war between Beijing and Washington. In an attempt to steal research and technological advancements, the Chinese government has been exploiting Western research and technology. As a result, Chinese students in the US fear that their government is listening in on politically sensitive topics.

The Surveillance of Chinese Students in the US

A report by Human Rights Watch revealed that Chinese and Hong Kong students in Australia are living in fear of intimidation, harassment, and surveillance as Chinese authorities try to prevent them from engaging with "sensitive" or political issues. This climate of fear is a result of Chinese authorities' transnational repression against overseas students, which violates their human rights.

Similarly, in the US, Chinese students fear that their government is listening in on their conversations and monitoring their activities. This fear is not unfounded, as there have been reports of Chinese authorities harassing the families of Chinese students in the US to prevent them from criticizing the Chinese government or its policies while overseas. In addition, Chinese students in the US also face surveillance at protests and online.

The Impact of Surveillance on Chinese Students

The surveillance and intimidation tactics used by the Chinese government have had a significant impact on the lives of Chinese students in the US. Many students reported self-censoring their conversations and posts on digital platforms out of fear of retaliation from Chinese authorities. In addition, some students have even changed the focus of their studies or dropped out of prospective careers to avoid attracting the attention of Chinese authorities.

The fear of being monitored and the resulting self-censorship have also taken a toll on the mental health of Chinese students, with many reporting stress, trauma, paranoia, and depression. Some students have even cut off contact with their loved ones back home to protect them from being targeted by the Chinese authorities, leading to increased feelings of isolation and loneliness.

The Role of Universities in Protecting Chinese Students

Universities in the US have a responsibility to protect the rights and safety of their Chinese students. This includes taking steps to counter the climate of fear and surveillance that these students face. Some measures that universities can implement include:

• Educating their communities about the issue of transnational repression and the rights of Chinese students
• Setting up reporting mechanisms for alleged acts of transnational repression and providing support to affected students
• Speaking out against incidents of harassment and intimidation, and cooperating with law enforcement when necessary
• Adopting policies to protect the privacy and security of Chinese students, including measures to prevent the "doxing" of students and their families
• Providing support services for Chinese students that are independent of the Chinese government or its affiliated organizations

Chinese students in the US are monitored by their government through online surveillance and informants

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) offers various benefits to student spies, including boosting their research and development opportunities, increasing their access to government departments, and offering them opportunities to go overseas on exchange programs. There are also economic benefits to becoming a student informant, as well as the prospect of a future in politics.

In addition to informants, the Chinese government also uses online surveillance to monitor Chinese students in the US. The rise of online teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic has made it easier for the Chinese government to access educational platforms and collect data on students. For example, Zoom was used in remote instruction and was vulnerable to Chinese government surveillance and data collection.

The surveillance and monitoring of Chinese students in the US have raised concerns about the infringement of academic freedom and open discourse. Faculty members are faced with the challenge of deciding whether to change their courses to eliminate potentially contentious topics or allow students to opt out of controversial discussions without penalty.

The presence of Chinese students in US colleges and universities has been significant, with China being the top country of origin for international students in the US for over a decade. In the 2018-2019 academic year, there were approximately 370,000 Chinese students enrolled in American colleges, making up one-third of all international students.

Chinese students in the US are pressured by their government and other students to report on their peers

Chinese students in the US are under increasing pressure from their government and other students to report on their peers. This pressure is part of the Chinese government's expanding espionage efforts against the US and its allies, as well as its attempt to prevent Chinese students from engaging with 'sensitive' or political issues while overseas.

US lawmakers and security officials have expressed concern over Chinese students being exploited by their government to steal research and technological advancements from the US. In response, the US has shortened the length of visas for Chinese graduate students in certain fields and increased visa complications, making it more difficult for Chinese students to enter the country.

The Chinese government has been accused of threatening Chinese families, warning them of consequences if their children do not return from the US with intellectual property. Additionally, Chinese authorities have targeted and threatened the families of students who engage in activism or criticism of the Chinese government while studying abroad. In some cases, students' families have been harassed, had their passports revoked, lost their jobs, or been prevented from receiving promotions and retirement benefits.

As a result, Chinese students in the US find themselves in a difficult position, facing pressure from both their government and their peers to report on their fellow students' activities. Many students feel the need to distance themselves from their Chinese peers out of fear that their comments or political views might be reported to the authorities in China. This dynamic creates a climate of fear and isolation for Chinese students in the US, with some choosing to self-censor their social interactions and limit their participation in classroom discussions to avoid potential repercussions.

The surveillance and pressure faced by Chinese students in the US underscore the Chinese government's efforts to control and curb dissent among its citizens, even when they are outside the country's borders.

Chinese students in the US are monitored by their government through WeChat, a Chinese-language social media app

Chinese students in the US are under surveillance by their government, according to various sources. This surveillance is facilitated by WeChat, a Chinese-language social media app. With around 19 million daily active users in the US, WeChat is the fifth most popular messenger app in the country. It is particularly important to Chinese students, as it is one of the few ways they can communicate with their families and friends back in China. This is due to China's ban on almost all foreign social media networks, including Google, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, WhatsApp, Line, and Kakaotalk.

WeChat channels run by Chinese Students and Scholars Associations (CSSAs) are a part of Chinese students' everyday lives in the US. These associations ostensibly provide assistance with studies, job hunting, and other tasks, as well as organising events to celebrate Chinese holidays. However, CSSA WeChat admins are often vocal advocates of pro-China interests and narratives, and their posts orient students on what patriotic stances look like on matters touching China's interests.

For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, CSSA WeChat groups focused on racial discrimination against Asians, with students documenting graffiti blaming China for the coronavirus. In the aftermath of the Atlanta mass shooting, in which multiple Asian women were murdered, several CSSAs denounced Asian hate and emphasised unfair bias against China and its government.

CSSAs also forward content from other official WeChat accounts, including Chinese consulates. In 2018, it was reported that Chinese consular officials communicate with CSSA leaders through group chats in WeChat. Consular officials have created WeChat groups for the presidents of all CSSAs in a particular region, allowing them to communicate announcements and requests directly.

The Chinese government's oversight of CSSA activities falls under the scope of the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council, within the United Front Work Department (UFWD). The UFWD is responsible for spreading Chinese Communist Party (CCP) propaganda abroad and expanding party influence. As such, CSSA activities support China's broader goals of spreading influence abroad.

While WeChat is a vital tool for Chinese students in the US to stay connected with their home country, it also serves as a means for the Chinese government to monitor and influence their activities, reinforcing pro-China perspectives and keeping them tethered to the 'motherland'.

Chinese students in the US are monitored by their government through Chinese Students and Scholars Associations (CSSAs)

Chinese students in the US are monitored by their government through various means, one of which is the Chinese Students and Scholars Associations (CSSAs). CSSAs are the official organizations for overseas Chinese students and scholars registered in most colleges and universities outside of mainland China. While their stated function is to help overseas Chinese students with their life, study, work, and cultural issues, they have also been described by journalists and human rights groups as tools of the Chinese government for surveillance and control.

The United States Department of State has explicitly stated that "the CCP created the Chinese Students and Scholars Association (CSSA) to monitor Chinese students and mobilize them against views that dissent from the CCP’s stance." Indeed, a 2018 report by the United States-China Economic and Security Review Commission confirmed that CSSAs receive guidance from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) through embassies and consulates, and actively work to promote Beijing's United Front strategy. This strategy aims to exert ideological influence and control over Chinese students abroad, encouraging "patriotism" and loyalty to the CCP.

CSSAs have been criticized for attempting to control and monitor the speech of Chinese students and professors, and for involvement in espionage and intelligence-gathering activities. They have pressured host universities to cancel talks and events relating to sensitive topics such as Tibet, the Uyghur genocide, the Hong Kong protests, and criticism of the Chinese government. Additionally, CSSAs have been known to receive funding from Chinese embassies and consulates, with some even requiring approval from local Chinese officials for their leadership positions. This financial relationship gives the Chinese government leverage over CSSAs and allows them to exert influence over the organizations' activities.

The close ties between CSSAs and the Chinese government have raised concerns among students, academics, and government officials in the US. There is a fear that Chinese students are being used as agents of espionage and that academic freedom and open discourse on American campuses are being threatened. Some Chinese students themselves have expressed discomfort with the growing ideological pressure and attempts to inject political ideology into student life.

While the extent of control and influence varies across different CSSA chapters, the potential for monitoring and censorship is ever-present. This situation has created a complex dynamic within the Chinese student community in the US, with self-censorship and peer pressure further contributing to an environment of surveillance and ideological conformity.

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