1 hour ago China calls on Niger to tackle disputes with energy firms through dialogue

Foreign Minister Wang Yi has urged Niger’s junta government to resolve disputes with Chinese energy companies operating in the West African nation through dialogue. Wang made the remarks during talks with his Nigerien counterpart Bakary Yaou Sangaré in the central Chinese city of Changsha on Wednesday. “The two sides should properly handle the differences and problems encountered in cooperation through dialogue,” Wang said, according to a Chinese foreign ministry readout of the meeting, which...

Politics

60 h. ago Hong Kong must ‘seize opportunities’ to attract talent amid US student visa woes

Hong Kong should capitalise on the opportunities arising from US-China tensions to attract more talent to its academic and tech sectors, heads of the city’s top medical schools have said, ahead of a visit to the world’s largest biotechnology event in Boston. Representatives from the medical faculties of the University of Hong Kong (HKU) and the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) will join the delegation of the government-funded Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP)...

Politics

6 d. ago Over 700 US scholars of China urge Rubio to pause student visa limits

More than 700 American scholars of China have signed a petition urging US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to pause moves to impose visa restrictions against Chinese students. The petition sent to America’s top diplomat on Friday comes about a week after he announced the State Department would “aggressively” revoke visas of Chinese students, including those with “connections” to China’s Communist Party and in “critical fields” as well as apply extra scrutiny to future applicants from mainland...

Politics

7 d. ago Trump speaks with China’s Xi amid trade, student visa tensions

Trump speaks with China’s Xi amid trade, student visa tensions  Al Jazeera

Politics

1 week ago Beijing swipes back at Washington over trade, student visa restrictions

Beijing swipes back at Washington over trade, student visa restrictions  Washington Times

Politics

2 w. ago US retail giants pushing Chinese suppliers to shoulder up to 66% of tariff costs

American retail giants are now demanding that their Chinese suppliers shoulder half to 66 per cent of the cost of US import duties, as the ongoing US-China trade war ramps up pressure on businesses’ bottom lines, industry sources told the Post. US retailers have been locked in talks with Chinese producers for weeks over how to handle the additional costs caused by the trade war, with the firms facing intense political pressure at home to “eat the tariffs” and keep prices stable. Walmart and...

Economics

2 w. ago Is India poised to rival US universities in a global academic shift?

The recent US decision to pause student visa interviews for enhanced social media vetting has increased anxiety among Asian students, who once viewed American universities as key pathways to global career opportunities. International students have been facing deportations for taking part in political protests to trivial offences such as traffic violations, dimming the allure of the American dream. Cuts to federal research grants have also driven students and academics to seek opportunities...

Politics

2 w. ago ‘A massive headache’: State Department tries to figure out how to handle Chinese student visa reviews

‘A massive headache’: State Department tries to figure out how to handle Chinese student visa reviews  Politico

Politics

2 w. ago China hits out at ‘politicised and discriminatory’ US student visa ban

Beijing has condemned the US decision to target Chinese students studying in the country as “discriminatory”, warning it will further damage America’s image on the world stage. The State Department has already announced a series of measures targeting international students – including a freeze on new visa interviews for those hoping to study in the US – but the latest measures announced on Wednesday singled out Chinese nationals. On Wednesday US time, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said...

Events

2 w. ago ‘Don’t undermine foreign student rights’: China issues stern message to America amid visa pause

‘Don’t undermine foreign student rights’: China issues stern message to America amid visa pause  The Economic Times

Politics

2 w. ago Hong Kong students aiming for US universities in limbo as visa interviews halted

Hongkongers looking to pursue tertiary education in the United States are grappling with uncertainties as the country has halted scheduling student visa interviews, with consultancies expecting possible online class arrangements for remote learning or university applicants changing their choice of destination. Kitty Wu, director of Litz USA Student Service, a Hong Kong-based education consultancy specialising in education in America since 1989, said on Wednesday that her company had experienced...

Politics

2 w. ago Hong Kong students in US visa limbo although ‘interview bookings available’

Hongkongers hoping to pursue tertiary education in the United States are grappling with uncertainties after the US government halted scheduling interviews for student visas, although a consultancy said online bookings were still available on Wednesday. Kitty Wu, director of Hong Kong-based education consultancy Litz USA Student Service, said that her company was still able to schedule visa interviews on Wednesday morning despite the US government order emerging the previous night. According to a...

Politics

2 w. ago US to pause student visa interviews ahead of new social media vetting: reports

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has directed America’s embassies worldwide to stop scheduling student visa interviews as US President Donald Trump’s administration considers more expansive vetting of the social media profiles of applicants, US media has reported. The order, laid out in a diplomatic cable on Tuesday, is the latest effort by the administration to restrict international students’ entry to the US over claims that they might promote antisemitism or otherwise threaten national...

Politics

last month New Zealand reports record exodus, driving down net immigration

More than half of all citizen departures were to Australia in search of better paying jobs, official figures show.

Politics