‘Spring is here … are you like this puppy desperate to go play,’ says social media post announcing US visa applications for Chinese students had resumed. Weibo chatter included claims of racism, insensitivity and derogatory regard for Chinese by US embassy staff. SCMP
The US embassy to China has apologised for a social media post that compared Chinese students applying for visas to puppies wanting to play, which was criticised by online users as insensitive and derogatory.
The post, which has since been deleted, contained a video showing a puppy escaping its pen, with a caption that said “spring is here and flowers are blooming, are you like this puppy desperate to go play?”
US resumes accepting student visa applications, but some Chinese families rethink study plans
Shan Jie Published: May 04, 2021 03:54 PM
Graduate students from China attend the Columbia University Commencement ceremony in New York, the United States, May 22, 2019. Photo: Xinhua
The US embassy and consulates in China resumed accepting student visa applications on Tuesday, which was suspended last year amid the COVID-19. However, after the whole year fighting the pandemic, frequent attacks on Asians, and rising skepticism and even discrimination against Chinese students, they would be more cautious on making decisions to study in the US.
The move comes after the US lifted travel restrictions on several countries including China.
US embassy in China to open student visa service on May 4; restrictions on Chinese STEM students still effective
Zhao Yusha and Xing Xiaojing Published: Apr 30, 2021 06:14 PM
Students study at a library of Columbia University in New York, the United States, on Dec. 7, 2019.Photo:Xinhua
The US embassy and consulates in China are scheduled to open visa appointments for Chinese students on May 4, after Washington announced easing of travel restrictions for foreign students.
The move is positive but no sign of improvement for China-US people-to-people exchange, Chinese analysts say, as visa restrictions for Chinese STEM students remain effective.
William Bistransky, acting consul general at the US Embassy in China, announced the visa re-opening for Chinese students during a Friday press conference. Mr. Bristransky said the embassy will gear up visa processing for those students once appointments officially re-opened, but certain details, such as anti-pandemic measures for th