BEIJING, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- China urges the United States to stop the groundless interrogations, harassment and repatriation against Chinese students arriving in the U.S., Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Friday.

Every time such incidents occurred, China immediately protested to the U.S., Mao said at a regular news briefing, adding that China will continue to take measures to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese nationals going to the U.S.

She said that recently, the U.S. has frequently carried out discriminatory, politically-driven and selective law enforcement against Chinese students arriving in the U.S., adding that the students went through unfair treatment and were taken into small separate rooms for extended interrogation.

Mao said some students' visas were even revoked, and they were banned from entering the country after being told they "might endanger national security."

"The U.S.'s moves severely violate the legitimate and lawful rights and interests of Chinese nationals, impede the flow of people between the two countries, and dampen China-U.S. people-to-people exchanges," Mao noted.

"We urge the U.S. to face the issue squarely, take China's concerns seriously, act on the U.S. leader's statement of welcoming Chinese students, and stop the groundless interrogations, harassment and repatriation against them," added Mao. ■