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The Hill warns against sending more students to Chinese exchanges

The Hill argues expanded student exchange programs could expose the U.S. military industrial base to espionage and intellectual property theft, though it cites no specific cases.

On air: Hank Ledger, Vera Bullock and Dale Bearman on BBN Newsroom
Published 11:32 AM ET, Monday, October 12, 2026

Photo: 美國之音張永泰 · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

▶ As it aired · World

Watch it as it aired: Hank Ledger, Vera Bullock and Dale Bearman on this story, from BBN Newsroom at 11:32 AM ET. Cartoon anchors, real headline: the facts are The Hill's, the jokes are ours.

Photo: 美國之音張永泰 · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Photo: China–United States relations — Photo: 美國之音張永泰 · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

At a glance

First reported by The Hill: “Terrible idea: The hidden danger behind China’s student exchange push”.
Covered on BBN on Monday, October 12, 2026, at 11:32 AM ET on BBN Newsroom, by Hank Ledger, Vera Bullock and Dale Bearman.
Topics: Hill, Chinese, China.
BBN covered this story before: China's car exports jump 64% as domestic sales fall 27% (October 12).

The real story

The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.

The HillTerrible idea: The hidden danger behind China’s student exchange push

What BBN said about it

Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorA new warning from The Hill this morning says a push to send far more American students to Chinese exchange programs is a terrible idea, and a threat to national security.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThe piece argues the programs could expose the military industrial base to espionage and intellectual property theft, though it offers no new case to prove it.
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorSo a sophomore studying abroad is now a security risk, because she might bring home a souvenir and a spy.
Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorThe souvenir is the spy, Vera. That's how they get you.
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorDale, the students want to learn Mandarin and eat dumplings.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorDumplings.
Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorToday it's dumplings, and tomorrow they're sorting your laundry by clearance level.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorDr. Byte is next, and I suspect she has opinions about who's reading your phone.

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