Statement by Roy Zhou
President of Association of Chinese Students and Scholars of New York Area
Before CECC
March 10th 2003

Good afternoon, I am very delighted to come here and give this presentation to you on behalf of Chinese Students and Scholars studying in New York Area. We are the only regional and the largest group of its kind here in the United States. Today, I want to talk about this special group of people who are of increasing importance to both America and China-the Chinese students and scholars who are studying and living here.

I'll start with a story, a story that happened on a fierce winter of 1854. After 98 days on a tea ship called "Huntress" from Guangzhou, Mr. Yung Wing, the first Chinese national who ever received admission from a prestigious U.S. institution, set his rugged cotton shoes on the hustle-bustle port of New York City. The prosperous street views shocked Mr. Wing, who realized that a legendary land existed outside of his motherland "Central Kingdom". Five years later, on a similar bone-freezing winter, Yung returned to China as a Yale graduate. Among his meager luggage, he bundled not only diploma but also a dream - a dream that later influenced several generations of China's youth. "During my last year at Yale College, I had almost decided what I wanted to do. I believe the next generation of China Youth should have the same opportunity to receive the education that I have received. Through the western education that its citizens would receive, China may turn into regeneration, and become more civilized and stronger. It is the goal of my life to make this dream true," said Mr. Wing.

The road to Yung's dream proved to be rough. During the most part of the 20th century, China and its youth suffered consecutive wars: including the two World Wars, the numerous military conflicts waged by colonial powers like Britain and Japan, and the Civil War. China plunged into unprecedented poverty, ignorance, and chaos. China's youth still dreamed about traveling and studying overseas but very few of them made their way into institutions of higher education in the West. Especially during the Cold War, the hostility between different ideologies caused tremendous difficulties for young intellectuals to fulfill their dream of studying in America. It was not until late 70s, after Richard Nixon's visit to Beijing, that American universities started admitting an increasing number of Chinese students and scholars.

Since the normalization of U.S.-China relations on in 1970's, hundreds and thousands of excellent Chinese students and scholars have been to oversea like Unites States to learn the western technology, culture, political and economic systems. They have also spread knowledge of Chinese culture to U.S. After their study, many students were either hired locally, devoting their effort in academic and business areas, or returned home with the knowledge. More and more students are returning to China, like a bridge connecting the two countries. Among the ones that stayed in U.S., many of them achieved quite remarkable success in the business world. For example, there is one company called "UT Starcom" based in New Jersey, which was started by a student called Wu Ying in 1992. After 10 years, UT Starcom is an ISO 9001 certified company providing 2,500 job opportunities to American workers. We can find similar examples in which Chinese businessmen devoted to the society all over the nation. There are many other success stories, like Hong Chen, who founded an IT Firm called GRIC, and Zhu Min, who founded WebEx which provides Online Meetings Service. Both are leading in the their respective industries.

U.S. and China are two great countries of great human talents and intellectual heritages. The reopened opportunities for exchanging students have seen many young Chinese receiving their degrees from the best universities in U.S. and many of them going on to contribute in both China and America in various fields. There is an interesting pattern in the history of Chinese Students and Scholars coming to America. Early on, thousands of them decided to stay and work for big corporations and academic institutions because they felt that China was too backward in their research area or too rigid in governing. This trend once havocked some Chinese government officials who worried about "brain drain" due to the high rate of non-returning students and scholars. But now this worry turned out to be less than temporary. Since China's accession into the WTO, Chinese students and scholars are more than willing to return for the unprecedented opportunities for growth at home with the knowledge they have learned in U.S.. Just take a look at recent recruiting, business opportunities and investment conferences held by different Chinese municipalities, the long line waiting outside of the meeting place is stronger evidence than any words or arguments.

Even the Brookings Institute's China expert David Shambaugh exclaimed that the next ten or twenty years, America will see the most tremendous impact that it has on China due to the large number of students and scholars returning to their motherland. President of U.S.-China Business Council Dr. Robert Kapp also predicted that the fast development of China and its market economy has drastically reduced its distance from the most developed countries, therefore its business, cultural and intellectual talents are facing a new round of relocation and integration. All these changes point to a brighter future for both China and America. It's a mutual benefit to both governments.

Having said that, I want to talk about three issues affecting Chinese Students and Scholars.

Firstly, most Chinese Students came to the United States for the academic excellence and the opportunity to pursue their studies at American universities. However, there are certain people who have been driven by some interests and advocated the so-called "China Threat" concept, and claimed that many Chinese students are spies. Recently, New York Times reports that FBI is recruiting Chinese Students as spies for the U.S. Government. This has brought an in-depth discussion in Chinese Community. Most foreign students follow the rules and regulations well and are not interested in getting involved in the politics. The Chinese Community was silent in the past, but this does not mean that we have no position. We want to stay away from politics and from spy issues. We came to the States for academic and personal development and for the improvement of U.S.-China relationship, not for spying.

Secondly, Chinese Students receive acceptance into U.S. institutions through competitive exams and the rest of the admission process on an equal or less-advantaged basis with American students. Unfortunately, many dreams broken because of unreasonably high rate of visa declining. including many of those who were granted full scholarship at prestigious U.S. Institutions. A number of Chinese students who returned to China during the winter break were either declined re-entry visas or had to wait for almost 6-month security check in China. For example, there are at least 4 students from Stony Brook University who were not able to return to school for this spring semester and they are still waiting in China. They have to postpone their studies when new semester starts. For these students, the delay of visas imposed big difficulties to their study and personal life. For example, Heng Zhu, a post-doctor student at Yale University in its Department of MCDB (Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology) was declined the visa. Wall Street Journal reported his story, saying "his absence of work due to visa issue has derailed work under a $1.5 million National Institutes of Health grant to understand how thousands of genes work, a process that could ultimately aid drug discovery." Clearly, the loss of such students and scholars undermines U.S. national interest.

Thirdly, we respect U.S. policy on Homeland Security and we firmly support the war on terror. However, treating for foreign nationals nicely will help U.S. global Image. We are wondering, if it is possible for BCIS to consider providing a new service to accept Security Check Application prior to Departure from U.S. for foreign aliens already in U.S. Accredited foreign aliens will receive expedited processing when they re-apply for visa at their home country. If possible, this would be beneficial to foreigners, especially enrolled students, while not compromising homeland security measures.

At last, we wish the two great nations prosperity and friendship. We also hope to be able to contribute to the increasing U.S.-China Communications on politics, economics, trade, culture, educations, and help improve the relations between the two countries.

Thank you for this opportunity to share my thoughts with you. I would be glad to try and respond to any questions you may have.

1. , U.S. Security Stymies Scientists By Bernard Wysocki Jr.
   
   01/21/2003, The Asian Wall Street Journal, Page A1



2. , FBI Recruiting Chinese Students in US - NYT


02/07/2003 Dow Jones International News


3. , Homeland security? Don't forget homeland sensitivity. By Tom Plate. 02/17/2003 Straits Times



4. , China Reforms Bring Back Executives Schooled in U.S. By JONATHAN KAUFMAN 03/06/03, Staff Reporter of THE WALL STREET JOURNAL