CHINA: Press Shocked, But Not Overly So

The recent early-morning slaying of two University of Southern California students made headlines in newspapers across Asia, of course. USC boasts the largest international student population in the U.S. – and many are from China, as were the murdered Ying Wu and Ming Qu in what may have been a botched carjacking of their BMW. Interest in Asia regarding the ups and downs at U.S. universities in general is very high. But the ultimate impact of Asia’s avidity for American higher education is unclear. In general a U.S. degree, of almost any kind, is regarded as a necessary career pedigree in many parts of Asia, which in many instances have their own crime issues. To be sure, for some families in Asia, the shooting could be a disincentive. ““If parents hear about this in China, it might affect their decision,” said one Chinese-American who moved to the U.S. when she was 10 and is a senior engineering student. “Since two lives were lost, I think concerns will remain for quite a while.” In the meantime, USC officials have bolstered security around its downtown campus and reviewed policing procedures. The tragedy could become monumental for the university if it appears that the incident was anything but what they call in parts of the Asia-Pacific a ““one-off.”