US enrollment might drop

China has been cautious about issuing warnings related to overseas studies. It issued only one warning in 2018 for students going to Australia after several safety and property incidents occurred there. One warning was issued in 2017 and three were issued in 2016.

Wu Xinbo, a professor of US studies at Fudan University in Shanghai, said the ministry's latest warning might result in a further decline in the number of students going to the US, especially for those planning to major in natural sciences.

In the past, there were times when the two countries ran into economic and trade disputes, but education cooperation remained strong.

This time, however, the US has labeled China a strategic rival and wants to restrict Chinese students from learning their technology, so "we need to be fully prepared and take necessary countermeasures", Wu said.

Ran Wei, vice-president of New Channel International Education Group, a consultancy for overseas studies, said he would advise Chinese students who want to go the US to also prepare for universities in the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia, as their visa applications might be turned down.

He stressed that educational cooperation should not be restricted, as it contributes to bilateral economic and trade cooperation and people-to-people exchanges.

Jin Yashu, a third-year undergraduate student at East China Normal University in Shanghai, wants to go to the US for postgraduate studies because it has many good universities.

She is aware of recent visa restrictions from the US, and said the warning will certainly influence her decision. "I will need to consider universities in Hong Kong if things do not get better in the future," she said.

Zhao Xinying contributed to this story.