The United States is urging Americans to reconsider traveling to China due to concerns over arbitrary law enforcement, exit bans, and the risk of wrongful detentions. Although no specific cases were mentioned, this advisory follows the sentencing of a 78-year-old US citizen to life in prison on spying charges in May. Additionally, the recent passing of a comprehensive Foreign Relations Law that threatens countermeasures against those perceived as harming China’s interests has contributed to the advisory (according to the AP).
- The US advisory points out that China’s government often enforces local laws arbitrarily, including imposing exit bans on US citizens and citizens of other countries, without following a fair and transparent process as required by law. It warns that US citizens traveling or residing in China may be detained without access to US consular services or information about the allegations against them.
- Furthermore, the advisory notes that Chinese authorities seem to have broad discretion in designating various documents, data, statistics, or materials as state secrets and detaining and prosecuting foreign nationals for alleged espionage.
- The advisory mentions a wide range of potential offenses, such as participating in protests, sending critical electronic messages regarding Chinese policies, or even conducting research on sensitive subjects.
- Exit bans can be used to compel individuals to cooperate with Chinese government investigations, pressure family members to return from abroad, settle civil disputes in favor of Chinese citizens, and exert leverage over foreign governments, the advisory adds.
Similar advisories have been issued for the semi-autonomous regions of Hong Kong and Macao. While the US has previously issued similar warnings to its citizens, recent advisories have primarily focused on potential risks during China’s “zero-COVID” policy lockdowns. These alerts come at a time when US-China relations are strained due to disputes over trade, technology, Taiwan, and human rights, although efforts are being made to improve the situation. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken recently visited Beijing, and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen is expected to make a highly-anticipated trip to Beijing this week. (Read more China stories.)
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