US Halts Exchange Program Recruitment in China, Hong Kong and Macau Over Harassment Concerns

The United States has suspended recruitment in mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau for several government-funded professional exchange programs following reports that Chinese authorities harassed, threatened and in some cases arrested people because of their participation.

According to a Kyodo News report, citing people familiar with the matter and an internal U.S. government memorandum, the suspension took effect in late July. The decision affected programs including the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) and Professional Fellows Program (PFP), while programs operated through the American Institute in Taiwan were not affected.

The U.S. Department of State describes the International Visitor Leadership Program ( IVLP) as the U.S. government’s foundational professional exchange program. Established in 1940, it brings foreign leaders in government, business, academia and other fields to the United States for short-term professional exchanges. Participants are nominated by U.S. embassies rather than applying directly.

The State Department says the Professional Fellows Program is a two-way exchange for emerging professionals, with foreign participants generally spending five to six weeks working with U.S. nonprofits, businesses or government offices.

Kyodo reported that the programs brought several dozen participants from China to the United States each year, with exchanges covering subjects such as foreign policy, counterterrorism, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. Past participants reportedly included former Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, former Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam and Hong Kong Secretary for Security Chris Tang.

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Memo cites harassment, threats and arrests

An August U.S. government memorandum reviewed by Kyodo News said U.S. diplomatic missions had concluded that Chinese authorities engaged in “excessive interference” with Chinese citizens participating in U.S. government-funded trips and training programs. According to the memo, some prospective participants were pressured to withdraw, while others were “harassed and threatened” and, in some cases, arrested partly because of their participation.

Two people familiar with recruitment in mainland China told Kyodo that the broader suspension was imposed by the State Department despite opposition from U.S. Ambassador to China David Perdue. They described the decision as “top-down” and said U.S. diplomatic missions in China had not been consulted before it was made.

Some exchange programs had already been discontinued earlier in the year as part of cost-cutting measures, but sources told Kyodo that the complete halt to recruitment from China was “totally unforeseen.”

The suspension also comes amid increased scrutiny of U.S.-linked exchange programs in Hong Kong. In July, Hong Kong newspaper The Standard described the IVLP and similar overseas programs as coming under criticism from pro-Beijing political figures, who accused foreign organizations of using exchange programs to cultivate political influence.

A Hong Kong participant in the Professional Fellows Program told Kyodo that he spent six weeks at a university research center on the U.S. East Coast in April and May. After returning to Hong Kong, he learned that his group had been among the final participants from China before recruitment was halted. He said the exchange had broadened his understanding of the United States in a way ordinary travel could not.

Suspension contrasts with renewed diplomatic outreach

The suspension comes as Washington and Beijing publicly promote greater stability in bilateral relations. During President Donald Trump’s May visit to Beijing, Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping agreed that the two countries should build what a White House fact sheet called a “constructive relationship of strategic stability” based on fairness and reciprocity.

Xi made a reciprocal state visit to Washington in September. The White House said following the visit that both governments had again committed to a relationship based on “respect, fairness, and reciprocity.”

During his Sept. 24 visit, Xi announced that China would invite 100,000 young Americans to participate in exchange and study programs over the next five years. In a transcript of Xi’s White House remarks, he said the future of U.S.-China relations “lies with the young” before announcing the initiative. China’s ambassador to Washington later said Beijing had already met its earlier goal of bringing 50,000 young Americans to China ahead of schedule.