The U.S. Needs to Revive Soft Power to Maintain Global Talent, A Pillar of American Strength
By Victoria Yu
The United States thrived in the past century by attracting talented people from across the world and turning them into domestic talent. However, immigrant and talent flows from countries with tense and competitive relations with the U.S., such as China are currently slowing down. The U.S. can maintain global influence by maintaining a stronghold on international talents – as long as we do not chase them out with questionable accusations of espionage and foul play.
The U.S. has been a destination for Chinese immigrants since the California Gold Rush. In the 1980s and 1990s, Chinese people arrived here in search of economic opportunities, to escape political instabilities, or as students. The majority stayed, with the Chinese immigrant population doubling between 1980–1990, and sevenfold today. China’s brain drain provided a talent boon for the United States, especially in technology and engineering.
In response, China in 2008 launched the “Thousand Talents Plan,” aimed at bringing overseas Chinese talent back. They prioritized scientists and engineers followed by citizens or former Chinese citizens in other fields. The U.S. government cracked down on the “Thousand Talents Plan” for being a threat to American interestsdue to “illegal” transfers of talent and technology and intellectual property theft. Recently, some scientists and professors with work connections leading to China have been investigated and their careers in the U.S. ended, even though the allegations have eventually turned out to be unfounded.
By the end of 2020, more than 1,000 researchers from China had left the United States. In some cases, the alleged theft of critical technology or research have actually drawn Chinese authorities’ attention to these important developments. It is not surprising that the Chinese government then recruited them with subsidized research and salaries at least double what they had received in the U.S.
Last fall the U.S. revoked the visas of more than 1,000 Chinese students on grounds that they had not disclosed their ties to the Chinese military. Other Chinese students admitted to U.S. universities were denied visas for the same reason. In reality, many affected students had no military ties but likely had attended a university-affiliated school in China. Even though many of the best schools in China are affiliated with state-run universities in their school name, they in fact have no direct connections to the university or military. These schools’ alumni often go on to top Chinese or U.S. universities.
Even when misunderstandings are cleared and visas are restored, Chinese students feel increasingly unwelcome and wary of staying long-term. Trends show more Chinese are returning home due to rising opportunities with domestic powerhouses like Bytedance, Tencent, and Ant Group. They also decide to leave the U.S. if their efforts in securing H1-B work visas have failed.
Attracting future talents to the U.S. would require an overhaul of the immigration system. This includes simplifying work authorization procedure for international students. Ending nationality-based discriminatory bans on entry to the U.S. would also encourage international talents to return. In the 2018–2019 academic year alone, international students in the U.S. contributed more than USD 41 billion to the U.S. economy and supported nearly half a million jobs nationwide. International students enrollment decline since 2016 cost the U.S. economy nearly USD 12 billion and more than 65,000 jobs.
In the case of China, the Biden administration will need to specify what constitutes ties to the Chinese military to avoid unjustified entry denials. Chinese students account for at least a third of international students in the U.S. It is not difficult to imagine that if most of them were gainfully employed, filling skill gaps, and participating in American society, they would have little incentive to be “agents” for the Chinese government.
The average American citizen probably grew up thinking the U.S. is the de facto global leader. However, as individual financial instabilities in the U.S. grow, many citizens feel increasingly threatened despite a relatively stable national economy. The government and some in the media have blamed China for economic woes in the US for multiple years. During the last two election campaign seasons, candidates expressed authoritarian China was out for global dominance and must be stopped at all costs. It is easier to blame foreign countries and people of foreign origin, even if they have dedicated their lives and work to the U.S.
Let’s not forget that many immigrant communities were once outsiders or had their loyalties doubted. Instead of pointing fingers, Americans should be attracting people to their side to make the U.S. a better and stronger global competitor. Many Americans refer to their ancestors who came to this land as gritty, innovative, and dedicated. Today, Americans must again channel that energy to rebuild the country from within and turn possible “enemies” into “competitors,” or even “partners” and “friends,” as international talent can become domestic talent. Give immigrants opportunities and support, and they may help build the future of the U.S., as did other immigrants of the past. Attraction is usually more compelling than punishment.
Victoria is a second year MALD student studying International Communications & Business for Social Impact, focusing on the intersection of US-China relations, soft power, digital human rights, and tech policy. Pre-Fletcher, she worked in a Sino-Canadian tech transfer research center and as an education consultant in China. Recently, Victoria interned with the US State Dept Global Engagement Center researching state-sponsored malign influence and information operations. She graduated from Wellesley College with a double major in International Relations-History and Comparative Literature.
Joe Biden Visits China is by David Lienemann and is a public domain image.
