Xi’s 100K invitation to America’s youth sets off alarm bells over what could follow them home

Chinese President Xi Jinping’s invitation for 100,000 young Americans to visit China over the next five years is raising concerns among critics who warn Beijing could use the exchange program to spread propaganda and influence a new generation of Americans.

Xi made the announcement Thursday during a White House arrival ceremony, as he visited Washington this week for talks with President Donald Trump on artificial intelligence, intellectual property, trade practices and rare-earth minerals.

Xi said China will invite 100,000 young Americans over the next five years for exchanges and study, building on existing programs that have included university visits, summer programs, youth forums and other educational and cultural exchanges.

CHINA EXPERT WARNS BEIJING WANTS AMERICANS — NOT THE CCP — TO SPREAD ITS MESSAGE

China's First Lady Peng Liyuan, China's President Xi Jinping, President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump pose on the North Portico steps of the White House ahead of a state dinner in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 24, 2026. President Xi is on a state visit to the United States from Sept. 23 to 25. (SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images)

China created its Young Envoys Scholarship program, administered by the China Education Association for International Exchange, to carry out Xi’s earlier 2023 pledge to invite 50,000 young Americans for exchanges and study. Some trips are fully funded, while others require participants to cover expenses, with the stated goal of strengthening ties between Chinese and American youth.

While some supported the program, many critics slammed the idea over propaganda and safety concerns.

"This is clearly intended to indoctrinate young Americans in China," Manhattan Institute fellow Daniel Di Martino posted to X. "But if some people should go, let the DSA members and let them see the Uyghur concentration camps and poor rural villages. Let them speak to the political prisoners. And let them visit and meet Hong Kongers."

"100,000 more Timmy Walz's. What could go wrong," said one user, referencing Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, who taught English and U.S. history in Foshan in 1989 after graduating from Chadron State College.

"They’ll come back as Governor of Minnesota," another user added.

YOUNG AMERICANS BREAK SHARPLY FROM OLDER AMERICANS ON CHINA THREAT, NEW POLL FINDS

Chinese President Xi Jinping addresses a welcome banquet at the White House in Washington, D.C., the United States, Sept. 24, 2026. Xi on Thursday attended a welcome banquet held by U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House (Xie Huanchi/Xinhua via Getty Images)

"No! They will brainwash them while over there," said one person.

"I welcome Xi Jinping’s invitation for 100,000 American students to visit and study in China. As Co-Chair of the Congressional International Exchanges Caucus, I believe educational and cultural exchanges are an important way to build mutual understanding and expertise," said Democratic California Rep. Ami Bera.

"But those exchanges depend on trust and the ability to study, speak, and engage without fear of harassment or arbitrary detention," Bera continued. "Right now, American scholar Min Zin remains wrongfully detained in China, and Beijing continues to target scholars, human rights advocates, and diaspora communities whose work or speech it finds unwelcome."

"I’m one of the Americans who spent years living and studying in China. I majored in Chinese literature in college. Sadly, I cannot recommend young Americans do the same thing today," said Atlantic Council visiting fellow Isaac Stone Fish.

US WARNS AMERICANS ABOUT EXIT BANS AND 'UNJUST' DETENTION IN POPULAR DESTINATION

First lady of China Peng Liyuan and President Xi Jinping sit with President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump in the Oval Office at the White House on Sept. 24, 2026, in Washington, D.C. Trump is hosting Xi for a three-day state visit to discuss trade practices, artificial intelligence and furthering "strategic stability" between their countries. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Fish said that China has grown more repressive and less welcoming to foreigners.

"If tensions worsen between the United States and China, those students could effectively function as hostages," Fish added.

"Are they coming back as Communists," asked one user.

"To be honest, I'm not sure I WANT 100,000 impressionable American students sent off to some CCP-controlled propaganda tour," said conservative commentator Nick Sortor.

TRUMP TO ASK XI TO FREE WRONGFULLY DETAINED US CITIZEN AS WIFE SPEAKS OUT

President Donald Trump and China's President Xi Jinping participate in an arrival ceremony at Joint Base Andrews, Md., on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026. (Alex Brandon/AP)

The Department of Education referred Fox News Digital to the White House when asked for comment.

Fox News Digital reached out to the White House for comment.

U.S. authorities have separately warned that American students abroad can become targets for foreign intelligence recruitment, citing past cases involving China.

Glenn Duffie Shriver, a Michigan student who studied abroad in Shanghai in 2002–2003, returned to China after graduating in 2004 and was recruited there by Chinese intelligence officers.

Shriver was paid to apply for positions with the State Department and CIA to access classified information for the Chinese.

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He was caught before obtaining a government position and pleaded guilty in 2010 to conspiring to provide national-defense information to Chinese intelligence officers. He was sentenced to four years in federal prison in 2011.