美媒紧张：美国下滑，中国跃升，高等教育将迎来“新世界秩序”

Core Viewpoint - Harvard University has dropped to third place in the Leiden University Ranking, with Chinese universities rising rapidly, indicating a potential shift in global academic dominance and raising concerns about the future of American higher education [1][2][3]. Group 1: Ranking Changes - Harvard University was once the top research university globally but has now fallen to third place in the Leiden University Ranking, with Zhejiang University now ranked first [1][2]. - The ranking shift reflects a broader trend where Chinese universities are increasingly recognized for their research output, with seven Chinese universities now in the top ten [2][3]. - Despite an increase in research output, Harvard remains the only American university near the top of the ranking, while other U.S. institutions have also seen their rankings decline [3][4]. Group 2: Impact of U.S. Policies - The decline in American university rankings coincides with significant cuts to federal research funding under the Trump administration, which has heavily impacted universities that rely on government support for research [1][4]. - The reduction in funding and the implementation of travel bans and anti-immigration policies have created additional pressures on U.S. universities, potentially harming their global reputation and ability to attract international talent [4][7]. - The number of international students in the U.S. decreased by 19% compared to the previous year, which may further damage the standing of American universities [4][6]. Group 3: Global Competition - The competition in global higher education is intensifying, with other countries, particularly China, making significant investments in research and development, leading to faster progress compared to the U.S. [2][4]. - Experts warn that the U.S. is at risk of falling behind as Chinese universities continue to improve their research output and quality [3][4]. - The trend of declining rankings for U.S. universities is not limited to research output but also reflects broader issues such as financial stability and student interest [8][9]. Group 4: Future Implications - The ongoing decline in rankings may have long-term implications for the ability of U.S. universities to attract top talent, both students and faculty, which is crucial for maintaining their global standing [11][12]. - While some rankings that consider factors beyond research output still show strong performance for U.S. universities, the overall trend indicates a potential erosion of American dominance in higher education [8][9]. - The relationship between university rankings and national strength is complex, but historical examples suggest that a decline in academic quality can have far-reaching consequences [12].