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Chinese students are paid to “spontaneously” welcome President’s visit to the U.S.

Posted on 13 January 2011 by Chiafu Chen 陳家福

Multiple Chinese student associations based in and near Washington D.C. and Chicago have issued notices saying that those who register with the welcoming event can get allowances ranging from $20 to $80 and their food and travel cost reimbursed.


Chinese Students and Scholars Association (CSSA) at the University of Maryland states in a newsletter sent to the local Chinese community, “Considering the weather is freezing, we will arrange round-trip transportation for everyone and provide reimbursement for food and travel cost in the form of 55 dollars per head.”

Notification given by Chinese student association at Northwestern University, which is in Chicago area, says, “President Hu Jintao of the People’s Republic of China will arrive in Chicago and make a state visit in the afternoon on January 20. He will also go to a local high school. Any one who registers can participate in the event. Participants will be provided $20 as food and travel cost.”

Chinese consulate in Chicago allegedly urged the heads of the student associations to tell every participating Chinese student that “If any reporter comes to talk to you, say to him that you’ve come of your accord at your own expense.”

Some participants voiced their discontent with unequal pay: why those who come from out of the state get $80, those who welcome in D.C. gets $55, but in Chicago it is merely $20? . Some “welcomers” from the Chicago area said “The Chicago consulate will see serious consequences by doing it this way.”