The two schools have hosted a joint campus for hospitality and tourism studies in Tianjin since 2003, but were forced to cancel in light of the Foreign Education Corporation bill that DeSantis signed in May.
The university also suspended recruitment in December of Chinese nationals and nationals of six other “countries of concern” (Iran, Cuba, North Korea, Russia, Syria and Venezuela) to comply with similar laws.
Ron DeSantis slams China and corporate power in campaign speech
Ron DeSantis slams China and corporate power in campaign speech
“Imagine a successful Fortune 500 company refusing to hire or do business with 1.73 billion people, more than one-fifth of the world’s population. It’s unconscionable,” said psychology professor Greg Webster, who signed the petition.
“Rather than squandering people, ideas, and capital, Florida’s universities should foster free exchange.”
Faculty members were also quick to point out that students from China and Iran were some of the strongest students, and that their contributions outweighed any perceived security risks.
Ambiguous words, unclear instructions
Although DeSantis’ new law does not explicitly prohibit hiring staff or researchers from these “countries of concern,” its vague language could lead universities to restrict hiring while awaiting clearer direction. became.
The latest guidelines from the Florida State University System Board of Governors say universities must obtain approval before hiring nationals from either country for academic, administrative or research purposes.
This guidance does not distinguish between academic fields that are related to national security and those that are not.
Haley and DeSantis set fire to Trump in 2024 Republican election
Haley and DeSantis set fire to Trump in 2024 Republican election
The law also prohibits state universities from receiving grants or participating in agreements or partnerships with universities based in those countries, although the exemption does not apply to state university systems’ boards of governors or state It can be obtained through the Ministry of Education.
However, faculty members say that receiving the exemption would put an additional burden on their exchange and research activities.
Additionally, members of both agencies considering the waivers were appointed by Mr. DeSantis, and critics fear those appointees could block confirmation.
Suspension of Chinese scholarship system
In September, under the bill’s provisions, DeSantis suspended scholarship programs for four private elementary and middle schools that belong to Spring Education Group, an education network controlled by Hong Kong-based private equity giant Primavera Holdings. Announced.
“The Chinese Communist Party is not welcome in the state of Florida,” DeSantis said.
“We will not tolerate any attempt to influence students with communist ideology and will not tolerate Floridians’ tax dollars being spent on schools with ties to our foreign enemies. I’m not going to allow it.”
Parents were outraged by the confusion and demanded that the governor show evidence of ties to the Communist Party and Chinese ideology.
Democratic state Rep. Anna Eskamani, whose district includes some of the affected schools, characterized the bill as a political posturing that would only hurt Mr. DeSantis’ voter base. She added that at least one school has appealed the decision.
DeSantis says China supports Russia and Iran and creates conflict
DeSantis says China supports Russia and Iran and creates conflict
DeSantis: Too weak on China?
But this thick restriction on China’s influence doesn’t seem to be enough for DeSantis’ political opponents.
Former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley, who is running for second place in the Republican presidential nomination race with DeSantis (both have a double-digit point lead over former President Donald Trump), said last week that DeSantis is competing with China for the second place. In a campaign video, he criticized the government for being too lenient.
The video calls China “Florida’s most important trading partner” (as of 2021, it did so on the website of the now-defunct quasi-governmental agency that DeSantis chaired), and China criticized DeSantis for allowing military contractors to expand near U.S. naval bases. (This was done in October 2022 by a US subsidiary of a Chinese state-owned aerospace company, but without government incentives).
The attack came days before Monday’s Iowa caucuses, which are expected to be the first test for Republicans in the 2024 election cycle. Both DeSantis and Haley plan to attend the caucus.
“DeSantis’ political strategy to target China is driven, in part, by a desire to win over parts of Trump’s base of supporters who were drawn to Trump in 2016 because of his anti-China rhetoric and anti-globalism sentiments. David McDonald said. Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of Florida.
President Trump’s rivals DeSantis and Haley face off in final debate before Iowa vote
President Trump’s rivals DeSantis and Haley face off in final debate before Iowa vote
McDonald said DeSantis is obsessed with “being an education ‘culture warrior'” because it allows him to stand out among “ambitious Republicans.” He pointed to how DeSantis built his national profile by advocating against mask mandates and school closures during the coronavirus pandemic. 19 pandemic.
Since DeSantis signed a bill in 2021 requiring state universities to disclose foreign grants exceeding $50,000 and restricting cross-cultural agreements between Florida schools and schools of concern, Florida’s It has taken aim at China’s influence in the education system.
As part of a series of bills in May, DeSantis also banned the use of Chinese-owned apps such as TikTok and WeChat on public devices and servers, and prohibited Chinese individuals and entities from purchasing real estate in Florida. was restricted.
Impact on Chinese international students in Florida
Those feeling the impact of the technology ban the most are Chinese students at Florida State University, thousands of whom attend schools such as Florida International University and the University of Florida.
In April, two student organizations at Chinese universities issued an unusual statement about restrictions on Chinese messaging apps WeChat and QQ, which censor keywords the Chinese government considers politically sensitive.
“For the vast majority of students living on campus, these apps are the only way to stay in touch with loved ones thousands of miles away,” they wrote.
“We are proud to be Gators,” the statement continued, referring to the University of Florida mascot. “But right now, we feel excluded and targeted, like we don’t belong here.”
Neither the governor’s office nor the DeSantis campaign responded to requests for comment on the law’s impact.
China condemns US ‘harassment’ of Chinese students at US border
China condemns US ‘harassment’ of Chinese students at US border
Florida anti-Chinese property law
Meanwhile, DeSantis’ Real Estate and Agricultural Land Restrictions Act, like other laws being introduced in states across the country, continues to cause headaches for Florida investors, real estate agents, and the average home buyer.
The law prohibits nationals of the seven covered countries from purchasing or holding control of real estate within 10 miles of military installations, but there are exceptions for purchasers on non-tourist visas. ing.
Restrictions are particularly severe for Chinese nationals, who are limited to purchasing one residential property of two acres or less that is not within five miles of a military installation.
As a result, developers are reportedly being forced to delay projects, and business groups argue that the law’s broad language could have unintended negative consequences for Florida’s economy.
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A fight you can’t win?US-China trade war, first in 5 years
A fight you can’t win?US-China trade war, first in 5 years
In October, China disappeared from the list of top 10 countries searched for MiamiRealtors.com, according to the Miami Association of Realtors. It was consistently in the top 10 at the beginning of the year, and within a few months it was in the top 3.
Chinese Americans and civil rights groups have cited mortgage lenders denying applications from qualified Chinese buyers to avoid additional paperwork and other red tape, and the law already They claim that it has a discriminatory effect.
Chinese residents of Florida sue state over ban on real estate ownership
Chinese residents of Florida sue state over ban on real estate ownership
“I don’t think there’s a good way to enforce this kind of unconstitutional law,” said Bethany Lee, legal director for the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund, which supports the plaintiffs.
“One of the things that real estate agents told us is what this means practically. Does that mean I have to ask for a presentation?”
But one thing is certain: regardless of the country’s political outcome, residents are already ready to vote with their feet.
One Chinese student told the University of Florida’s campus newspaper: “I will never stay in Florida.”