Editor's note: Luo Qing is an international affairs watcher specializing in China-U.S. Relations. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

"I never imagined this could happen! The Golden State has always been my dreamland. I worked so hard for three years and was admitted to one of the top universities in California this year. How could this happen! Will my visa be revoked?"

A few days ago, I received a call of desperation. My friend's dream of going to the Golden State for studies could be shattered after United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio vowed recently to "aggressively revoke visas for Chinese students."

I didn't know how to soothe her. After hanging up, I couldn't sleep, as I realized that the same anxiety, anger and frustration must be felt among all the Chinese students in America.

A bad idea for the U.S.

The uncertainty and fear among Chinese students and university faculty caused by the policy shift is real. People are asking: Is the U.S. closing its door to Chinese students?

Chancellors and professors of prestigious universities in California including the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), University of California San Diego and the University of Southern California (USC) have expressed concerns over the plan to revoke Chinese students' visas, recognizing that American universities and research laboratories have benefited tremendously over the decades by drawing talented students from China, and that many universities rely on international students' tuition for a substantial part of their annual revenue.

Jack Hu, an immigrant from China, the first Asian American chancellor of University of California, Riverside, is one of the most vocal opponents of this policy. "It is my hope that Chinese students will continue to feel welcome to come to the U.S. and experience the same life-changing opportunity I experienced," said Hu.

"It is imperative for the federal support of international students and research to remain consistent so the U.S. will continue to drive the world economy in the generations to come," he added.

The good old days

Chinese students have been studying in America since the 1850s, when Yung Wing graduated from Yale College (now Yale University), becoming the first Chinese student to earn a degree from an American university.

Looking back on the establishment of China-U.S. diplomatic relations, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter recalled that he was sleeping one day when the phone rang at about 3 o’clock in the morning. It was Frank Press, Carter's national science adviser who was visiting China.

Press said that Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping asked if the U.S. would accept 5,000 Chinese students to American universities. President Carter replied, "Tell him to send 10,000." That was the mood for vibrant people-to-people exchanges in the old days. Not anymore.

Students at crossroads

Back to California today, will Chinese students still be able to pursue academic studies in California? There is a big question mark.

California hosts over 51,000 Chinese students in its world-renowned institutions. Chinese students have traveled thousands of miles to California to pursue their academic success, creating over 25,000 jobs for local communities and contributing significantly to the local economy. The role these students have played have gone beyond that: They have fostered mutual understanding, driven economic development and innovation and promoted friendship between the two peoples.

This year marks the 46th anniversary of China-U.S. diplomatic relations. In spite of the twists and turns, great achievements have been made in bilateral cooperation. It is beneficial for the two peoples and the entire world if China and the U.S. continue working together in tackling global challenges.

Only through dialogue and cooperation can a better future be secured. And to do that, ridiculous policies like revoking visas are never the right or wise thing to do.

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