The “China Action Plan” initiated by Trump’s first administration was already suspended. However, recently, as Chinese scholars have been continuously questioned in the United States, there is concern that the plan has quietly entered its “2.0 era” in a more radical manner.
According to a report by the Hong Kong 'South China Morning Post' on June 24, several immigration lawyers and activists have warned that the US government's enforcement actions against Chinese scientists and researchers have significantly intensified. These actions are even more aggressive than the controversial 'China Action Plan' during Trump's first term in office.
"I think we are now obviously in the 'China Action Plan 2.0' era," said Robert Fischer, former assistant US Attorney and partner at Nickelsons Pibody Law Firm.
This notorious plan began during Trump’s first term in office. In 2018, the U.S. government launched investigations against American Chinese scholars and researchers who had cooperative relationships with China, under the pretext of “combating Chinese spies” and “protecting intellectual property rights”. This led to one unjust and wrongful case after another. Eventually, the plan was halted by the Biden administration in 2022.
On the 23rd of this month, Fischer stated during an online seminar held at the Asian American Scholars Forum that he observed a “significant increase” in the number of investigations conducted by federal and state governments against researchers, scientists, and university professors who have connections with China. However, most of these cases have not yet entered the prosecution process.
"I know many people who are being investigated. Some of their homes have been searched by the police, and some have been stopped and questioned at immigration ports," he said.
Reports indicate that since January 2025, the Trump administration has intensified the scrutiny of Chinese scholars through a series of measures such as arrests, investigations, border checks, and visa restrictions, under the pretext of national security and public health safety.
In recent years, Chinese-American scientists who were persecuted by the “China Action Plan” are: Hu Anming, Xi Xiaxing, Tao Feng. Photo material
In recent months, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has arrested and charged several Chinese researchers associated with American universities. These cases involve institutions such as the University of Michigan and the University of Indiana. The US side alleges that these researchers smuggled biological materials and concealed their scientific research collaborations with Chinese national agencies. The Department of Justice has obtained plea agreements in at least three of these cases.
In November last year, the FBI arrested a Chinese scholar at an institution in Indiana at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago. The scholar was accused of illegally smuggling biological materials into the United States using the privileges granted by the J-1 visa. As a result, his visa was revoked, and he was detained for four months. In April this year, both parties reached a plea agreement, and the Chinese scholar was ordered to be repatriated to China.
However, the Association of American Universities (AAUP), which represents professors at Indiana University Bloomington, raised objections to this. In its statement, the association noted that the allegations “distortingly portray a common and routine method of obtaining research samples in the field of science.”
"This should have made everyone feel angry." Justin Sadovsky, legal director of the Human Rights Protection Alliance, criticized saying, "He was imprisoned for four months solely because he failed to disclose certain information on the customs declaration form."
Similar cases are far more than this, and can even lead to more serious consequences. On March 27th, Wang Danhao, a Chinese semiconductor researcher, was questioned by federal law enforcement officers at the University of Michigan in the United States, and unfortunately committed suicide the next day. As of now, details such as why Wang Danhao was questioned by US law enforcement officers and why he chose to end his life remain unclear.
After the incident, the Michigan University Postdoctoral Researchers' Union reminded its members that whether they are American citizens or foreign citizens with visas, if they are arrested or questioned, they have the right to remain silent and to have a lawyer present.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian also responded to this incident on March 27, saying that China is deeply saddened by this tragedy and has made formal representations to the US side. Chinese embassies and consulates in the US have immediately contacted the family members of the victim and are providing active assistance for the aftermath of the incident.
The Chinese side urges the US to thoroughly investigate this case, give a responsible account to the victims’ families and the Chinese side, stop discriminatory law enforcement against Chinese scholars and students in the US, and cease the creation of various unjust and false cases. We will continue to take necessary measures to firmly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese citizens.
The Nanyang Post specifically mentioned that Wang Danhao's field of research is semiconductors. Legal experts also stated that there are obvious geopolitical factors behind the current U.S. law enforcement actions. Chinese researchers working in sensitive areas of Sino-U.S. technological competition, such as artificial intelligence, robotics, semiconductors, biotechnology, and materials science, are facing increasingly strict U.S. censorship.
In addition to the actions taken by the executive branch, both parties in the US Congress have also reached a highly negative consensus on restricting scientific cooperation with China. Several American lawmakers have introduced various bills targeting what they call "economic espionage activities" and "intellectual property theft," whose ideas are highly similar to the framework of the "China Action Plan" of 2018.
Last year, the House Appropriations Committee passed the Fiscal Year 2026 Appropriations Act for Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies. One of the provisions even directly requires the Department of Justice to resume the “China Action Plan” that was halted by the Biden administration.
California lawyer Clay Zhu said that the message conveyed by the US is very clear: “Do not cooperate with China.” “This has created a atmosphere of fear, and this chilling effect has been effective so far.”
He compared the current practices of the Trump administration with the “China Action Plan 1.0”, pointing out that law enforcement has shifted from criminal prosecution to civil litigation. “I believe it has achieved its intended goals. It has not attracted too much public attention, is more discreet, but more effective.”
