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This commentary discusses Chinese international students’ experiences in U.S. higher education across three interconnected temporal frames: the COVID-19 pandemic, escalating U.S.–China geopolitical rivalry, and an emerging AI-shaped future. The pandemic exposed long-standing racialized inequalities, positioning Chinese students simultaneously as valued tuition payers and vulnerable outsiders. Geopolitical tensions further complicate their presence, particularly for STEM students, because these students are often constructed as potential agents of a rising China and subjected to heightened surveillance and scrutiny. Looking forward, AI challenges traditional assumptions about merit and the purpose of higher education. The commentary invites dialogue on institutional responsibility, equity, and ethical engagement with international students.
Jing Yu (Wed,) studied this question.