The US Department of State issued an alert to American passengers asking them to “reconsider” whether they plan to travel to China, due to the “arbitrary exercise of local laws,” including “the ban on of exit and the risk of unjust detentions”.
The travel alert, issued by the State Department on June 30, indicates that the government of the People’s Republic of China “arbitrarily enforces local laws”, which leads to the prohibition of departure of “US citizens and from other countries, without a fair and transparent process” under the law.
In addition, the State Department warned that US citizens traveling to or residing in the People’s Republic of China may be detained without access to US consular services, and may even be denied access to information about their alleged crimes.
“U.S. citizens in the People’s Republic of China may be subject to interrogation and detention without receiving due process and transparency under the law.”
Separately, the State Department warned that Chinese authorities “could detain United States citizens for conducting investigations or accessing widely accessible public information within the People’s Republic of China.”
Regarding the exit bans, the State Department indicated that US citizens could learn that they cannot leave China just as they try to leave the country, and that there might be “no legal means to dispute this.”
The US institution further explained that the bans on leaving China could apply not only to passengers, but also to their relatives (including minor children).
For those US citizens who decide to travel to China despite warnings, the State Department recommends that you:
– Keep your passport with you at all times.
– Avoid taking pictures of protests or the police without permission.
– Avoid large crowds or protests.
– Sign up for the Smart Travelers Program to receive alerts so they can be located as soon as possible.
– Keep a low profile.
– In the event that you are arrested, ask the police to notify the US embassy in Beijing of the situation immediately.
In 2018, more than two million Americans visited China, according to official statistics. It is a destination that has become extremely popular among tourists from around the world.
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