Last Friday, the US Department of State updated its travel advisories for mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau, maintaining a Level 3 risk warning for both mainland China and Macau, while listing Hong Kong travel under a Level 2 risk due to the special emphasis on the implementation of the new National Security Law in Hong Kong. The State Department highlighted the risk of arbitrary enforcement by the Chinese Communist Party in these three regions.
Despite efforts to ease bilateral relations between the US and China, with encouragement for people-to-people interactions during high-level meetings, the US government has not relaxed its travel warnings for visits to mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau.
The US State Department issued updates, stating that due to arbitrary enforcement of local laws (including exit bans) and the risk of wrongful detentions, travelers should reconsider trips to mainland China.
Currently, travel to mainland China is categorized as “reconsider travel.” The State Department advises Americans to think twice about traveling to China, citing the risk of arbitrary enforcement by the Chinese government, including the use of exit bans to prevent some US citizens from leaving the country.
“The US State Department has identified the risk of US citizens being wrongfully detained by the Chinese (CCP) government in China,” the State Department said.
The updated guidelines reiterate that US citizens traveling or living in China may be detained, denied access to US consular services, or given information regarding allegations of criminal activity. US citizens in China may face prolonged interrogations and detentions without fair and transparent legal procedures. The Chinese authorities seem to have broad discretion to deem various documents, data, statistics, or materials as state secrets and may detain and prosecute foreigners suspected of spying activities.
Regarding Chinese Americans, the State Department also emphasized that the Chinese government does not recognize dual nationality. The guidelines state that Chinese Americans and Chinese-American citizens may face additional scrutiny and harassment by the Chinese authorities.
The State Department also warns that participating in protest activities in China or engaging in any other activities deemed by authorities as acts of separatism, subversion, terrorism, or collusion with foreign entities may lead to criminal charges.
In terms of the travel advisory for Hong Kong, the US State Department mentioned that due to arbitrary enforcement in the region, travelers should exercise increased caution when visiting the Special Administrative Region. Hong Kong is currently at an elevated Level 2 risk.
The State Department’s updated guidelines specifically mentioned the National Security Law and the recent 23 articles of legislation in Hong Kong. “Since the implementation of the National Security Law of the People’s Republic of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on June 30, 2020, the Hong Kong authorities have severely restricted civil liberties. With the enactment of their own National Security Law (23 articles) on March 23, 2024, the Hong Kong authorities are expected to take further actions to curtail civil liberties.”
Individuals accused of violating the 23 articles of legislation in Hong Kong could face a minimum sentence of seven years in prison, with the possibility of life imprisonment.
Regarding travel to Macau, the US State Department mentioned that due to restrictions on travel for US diplomatic personnel by Chinese authorities, the US government’s ability to provide emergency services to American citizens in the Macau Special Administrative Region is limited. Travelers should reconsider trips to the Macau SAR due to arbitrary enforcement in the region.
Currently, there are only about 700 American students studying at universities in China, significantly lower than the peak of nearly 25,000 students a decade ago, while close to 300,000 Chinese students are studying at schools in the United States. Some young Americans are hesitant to go to China due to dwindling economic opportunities and tense US-China relations.
According to public statistics, the number of American students in China has decreased since 2012 but has remained steady at over 11,000 for many years until the outbreak of the COVID pandemic, during which China closed its borders and shut out most foreign nationals.
According to a report by the Associated Press on April 13, Amy Gadsden, executive director of the China Initiative at the University of Pennsylvania, attributed the declining interest of Americans in traveling to China in part to foreign companies closing their offices in China. She stated that Beijing’s response to the pandemic exposed its harsh governance style, causing hesitation among American students.
责任编辑：李寰宇#