Last year, I hosted USC’s inaugural CHINA Town Hall, a program by the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations (NCUSCR) to engage and inform local communities about U.S.-China relations. During each year’s Town Hall, NCUSCR broadcasts a live panel discussion to universities all over the world, then each school hosts local speakers for an in-person discussion.
Our USC contingent last year was small, with just eight participants, including myself. Held during the final months of the Biden Administration, the conversation covered broad and complex topics, from national security and the Russia-China relationship, to the Taiwan conflict and anti-Asian racism in the U.S. While I sometimes felt lost during the more technical discussions, I contributed insights from the perspective of a Chinese international student.
“Do you think two global powers can coexist?” one speaker asked.
“Yes,” I responded firmly. “That’s why I’m doing this.” But I added my observation that young people are gradually becoming indifferent to the U.S-China relationship, which I find concerning.
2024 USC CHINA Town Hall
Inspired by the experience and hoping to engage more young people in cross-cultural dialogue, I launched my own media project, Houlang Media, bringing together young media practitioners from around the world, using videos to promote understanding across cultures. Connecting people across ideological and cultural divides is no easy feat, regardless of what culture they are from. But the growing complexities and uncertainty surrounding the U.S.-China relationship made the launch of Houlang Media especially challenging. Still, I was proud of our success, producing over ten videos on a diverse array of topics from contributors all over the globe.
Before returning to school for my final semester, I received a letter from USC’s Office of International Services (OIS), which offered a cautionary warning to international students who were physically present in the U.S. before Trump’s inauguration. Although nothing had happened yet, as an international student, I felt some concern—a need to brace for unknown risks. But all I could really do was follow the school’s advice.
The uncertainty continued to snowball in the months that followed. During Trump’s first one hundred days, many universities, NGOs, and cultural exchange programs like Fulbright faced funding cuts and freezes, severely impacting international students across the country just like me. In March, the House Select Committee on the CCP requested that several universities, including USC, submit information on Chinese nationals, citing national security concerns. Just weeks later, the U.S.-China trade war reignited.
“Uncertainty” has become the most common word I hear and discuss these days. My peers—particularly those in STEM fields—live with the anxiety that their visas could be revoked amid growing suspicions of espionage. Shocking headlines surface daily in both my news feeds and classroom discussions: “Columbia Activist Arrested by ICE at His Appointment for Citizenship”; “Nearly 300 Students Have Had Visas Revoked and Could Face Deportation”; “Some foreign students fear speaking out as visa cancellations rise.”
“Uncertainty” was also the prevailing theme as we prepared for this year’s CHINA Town Hall. As a senior, it was my last chance to host the event. Compared to last year, when we only had two weeks to prepare, we now had two full months. My organizing partner and I decided to create a video (posted above) incorporating how people perceive modern U.S.-China relations. We conducted interviews with USC professors, students, and even strangers across L.A. Words like “tense,” “rocky,” and “stranded” came up frequently. Some individuals declined to appear on video, citing concerns related to their immigrant identities.
Despite our idealistic vision of fostering open dialogue across cultures and disciplines, and creating space for people to share their concerns in today’s complex global environment, we faced many challenges in organizing the Town Hall. Weeks before the event, we encountered an AI-generated article titled “Examining U.S.-China Relations Through CHINA Town Hall” published on an external website, which contained misleading information. We had to request its immediate removal. Though it may appear to be a minor issue, it reflects the deeper challenge of disinformation that increasingly undermines the U.S.-China relationship.
The lead-up underscored the tension and uncertainty of these times; and the event itself carried that theme through. Unlike last year’s discussion, which covered a wide range of topics, this year’s national webcast focused primarily on tariffs and student visas.
2025 USC CHINA Town Hall
Panelists discussed how Chinese international students are increasingly profiled—and targeted—as threats. As a Chinese international student pursuing higher education in the U.S., it’s disheartening to hear. And it’s not a mere “hypothetical.” During a recent class, my professor was discussing the topic of free speech, when a slide appeared showing a recent headline in our campus newspaper: “House Committee Requests Information on Chinese National Students at USC.” I immediately flashed back to the China Initiative, a program launched during the first Trump administration aimed at prosecuting suspected Chinese spies. While I was not directly impacted, many Chinese American scholars and scientists suffered lasting damage to their careers, with some losing their jobs. Although the program was officially ended in 2022 due to its ineffectiveness and discriminatory impact, its chilling effect remains—and now, it feels like something similar is quietly returning.
During this year’s CHINA Town Hall, the tension in the room was palpable. A debate broke among the panelists on the telecast about whether “spies” might exist among Chinese international students, and if so, how many are there?
The suspicions and accusations left me feeling stunned and powerless. Chinese international students like myself come to this side of the ocean with dreams of pursuing knowledge and seeking better opportunities. Yet now, they find themselves caught in the crossfire of geological tensions and self-serving actions of a few. Despite being innocent, they bear the consequences and have no power to change the situation.
Like so many, I came to the U.S. to study, to grow, and to experience a new culture. Over the past four years, I’ve learned to think critically, listen empathetically, and stay open-minded—skills I hadn’t fully explored or practiced before. I discovered a passion for media and U.S.-China relations, and I chose to major in communication. To me, communication is not about sending and receiving messages between two sides of the world through distorted channels. It’s about engaging in conversations grounded in respect, empathy, and a shared commitment to the common good of humanity.
Despite the tension at this year’s CHINA Town Hall, I consider the event a great success. In contrast to last year’s modest gathering, the event drew over forty attendees, thus paving the way for wider dialogue and greater understanding.
“While we’re at a difficult point, I hope the conversations can continue.” This closing line from my remarks at the event reflects what I believe is most essential to the U.S.-China relationship: open dialogue that fosters mutual understanding.
