The idea that the mere presence of Chinese students on a liberal US campus can change their minds is absurdly naive. Maybe this was true 30 years ago, but certainly not now. A great number of them regard the campus culture with nothing but indifference, if not contempt.

If they choose to, they can easily spend years with no interaction with US society beyond classes, and no understanding of America apart from what they are fed on WeChat. There are of course exceptions (e.g. if you go to somewhere like Deep Springs) but the number is minuscule.

Then why would it surprise anyone if they end up swearing allegiance to the CCP? To challenge deep-rooted prejudices is never easy. Winning people over requires patience, strategy, and wisdom. But universities, at least mine, have done literally nothing to remedy this.