Americans travelling to mainland China have been warned they could face wrongful detention, intrusive surveillance and exit bans lasting for years under an updated US State Department travel advisory.
The advisory, issued on October 19, kept China at Level 2, meaning travellers should “exercise increased caution”, but added a specific warning indicator for wrongful detention. It said local laws could be enforced arbitrarily and that restrictions on leaving the country might be imposed without a fair or transparent legal process. ([travel.state.gov](https://travel.state.gov/en/international-travel/travel-advisories/china.html?c15=99&duration=2023-2023&utm_source=openai))
The department said routine professional, academic or personal activities that would not normally be treated as offences in Western countries could fall foul of China’s broad national security, counter-espionage and data laws.
Foreign nationals including businesspeople, academics, journalists and relatives of people involved in legal disputes have faced questioning or detention, according to the advisory. It also said Chinese authorities may apply heightened scrutiny to Americans of Chinese heritage, people involved in business disputes and those with current or former links to US law enforcement, the military or intelligence agencies. ([travel.state.gov](https://travel.state.gov/en/international-travel/travel-advisories/china.html?c15=99&duration=2023-2023&utm_source=openai))
Americans warned about China exit bans
One of the most serious risks highlighted is the use of so-called exit bans, which can prevent a person from leaving China even when they have not been formally arrested.
The State Department said such restrictions had been used to compel people to co-operate with government or Chinese Communist Party investigations, settle civil disputes, pressure relatives to return to China and gain leverage over foreign governments.
Travellers may not discover they are subject to a ban until they reach an airport and attempt to depart. In some cases, the restrictions have remained in place for years, with no clear legal process available to challenge them in court. ([travel.state.gov](https://travel.state.gov/en/international-travel/travel-advisories/china.html?os=vb_&utm_source=openai))
Relatives, including US citizen children, may also be affected if a family member is under investigation. The advisory said some people had been told an exit ban would only be lifted if they provided testimony, even when they maintained that the requested evidence would be false.
“The U.S. Department of State has determined that Americans are at serious risk of wrongful detention by the Government of China,” the advisory states.
Those detained could spend years in custody with limited contact with relatives or US officials. The department also warned that Chinese authorities might not recognise a person as an American if they entered using Chinese travel documents or were regarded as a dual national. ([travel.state.gov](https://travel.state.gov/en/international-travel/travel-advisories/china.html?c15=99&duration=2023-2023&utm_source=openai))
The advisory urged travellers to assume that Chinese security services could access emails, text messages and social media posts sent to or from China. It said some people had been detained or deported over private messages deemed critical of Chinese authorities, including messages written outside the country.
Travel expert Bobby Laurie advised visitors to think carefully before photographing police, protests or sensitive locations, warning that a seemingly minor incident could create problems when they tried to leave.
“Be aware of your surroundings. Think before you take a picture,” said Mr Laurie, a former flight attendant.
He recommended taking a phone or electronic device containing only essential travel information and leaving confidential material at home.
US officials advise travellers to carry a valid American passport and Chinese visa, enrol in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Programme and arrange regular check-ins with family members or an employer.
