The US Department of State recently updated its travel advisory for those heading to China, warning Americans that traveling to China may entail risks such as detainment, electronic surveillance, and exit restrictions, and they may even be unable to return to the United States. A travel expert has shared key information that Americans need to be aware of before traveling.
According to a report by Fox News, senior travel expert Bobby Laurie reminded American travelers going to China to be vigilant of their surroundings and to think twice before taking photos while in China.
“You may be caught photographing law enforcement officers on the street, or you may have mistakenly entered places you shouldn’t have gone. Perhaps you inadvertently got close to street protests,” he said.
He mentioned that some Americans traveling to China only realize they can’t go back home when it’s time to return. “As your journey is nearing its end, you head to the airport. You scan your boarding pass, get ready to pass through security for your flight home. It’s at this point that you realize you actually can’t go home. You are barred from leaving the country.”
He advised American travelers to China to be cautious in using electronic devices, stating that anyone traveling to China should carry a “mobile phone or other electronic device that is simplified to include only essential travel information.”
On October 19, the US Department of State updated the travel advisory for mainland China, maintaining the Level 2 advisory “Exercise Increased Caution” while adding a risk marker for “Wrongful Detention.” This advisory aims to remind American citizens that while traveling in China, they should not only be mindful of general safety issues but also be aware of the risks brought by local law enforcement and national security regulations.
The US Department of State warned that American citizens should be aware that Chinese (CCP) security forces may have access to their emails, text messages, and social media communications sent within or outside of China.
According to the US travel advisory, even private communications, if deemed by the Chinese authorities to involve criticism of the CCP government, could lead to the detainment or expulsion of individuals, even if the related messages were sent while the individuals were outside of China.
The US also pointed out that China’s broad national security laws affect the daily activities of foreigners, including business dealings, academic research, and personal exchanges.
In related news, the updated travel advisory highlights who is most likely to be wrongfully detained?
The updated travel advisory states, “The US Department of State assesses that US citizens face a serious risk of being unlawfully detained by the Chinese (CCP) government, with detainees potentially spending several years in prison with limited contact with family or US officials.”
In addition to the risk of detainment, the US Department of State also warned that Chinese authorities may impose exit bans on some foreign citizens, prohibiting them from leaving China. These exit bans may be imposed during investigations or in cases involving commercial or civil disputes. The family members of individuals under investigation, including children, are also affected by exit bans.
Some travelers may only realize they have been banned from leaving the country when they try to board a flight home. The US Department of State stated, “US citizens may only become aware they are barred from exiting China when they attempt to leave.”
Some bans have been in place for several years, but the individuals themselves may not be aware of them. Officials caution that there may not be a clear recourse to challenge these bans in court.
The US Department of State recommends that US citizens planning to travel to China should have a valid US passport and Chinese visa, enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, and regularly stay in touch with family or employers.