A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson on Thursday urged the U.S. side to refrain from imposing discriminatory and restrictive measures on Chinese students.

According to media reports, a U.S. House politician has sent letters to six U.S. universities, requesting information on their Chinese students out of "national security" concerns.

"We urge the U.S. side to cease overstretching the concept of national security, effectively safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese students, and refrain from imposing discriminatory and restrictive measures on them," spokesperson Mao Ning told a daily news briefing when answering a relevant query.

Chinese students constitute approximately one-quarter of the international student population in the United States, according to Mao.

Educational cooperation not only broadens the channels of exchanges between students of both countries and enhances mutual understanding between the two peoples, but also contributes to the economic prosperity and sci-tech advancement of the United States, she said, adding that the cooperation conforms to the interests of both sides.