(KNX 1070) -- The State Department Thursday updated its travel warning about China, urging Americans to “exercise increased caution” in the country.
The advisory says the Chinese are guilty of arbitrary enforcement of local laws and often slap exit bans on dual US citizens who travel back to China and then try to leave.
The head of the US-China Institute at USC, Clayton Dube tells KNX that China and Russia detain people with very little cause as in the case of the former Marine accused by the Russians of being a spy.
According to the State Department:
In most cases, U.S. citizens only become aware of the exit ban when they attempt to depart China, and there is no method to find out how long the ban may continue. U.S. citizens under exit bans have been harassed and threatened.
U.S. citizens may be detained without access to U.S. consular services or information about their alleged crime. U.S. citizens may be subjected to prolonged interrogations and extended detention for reasons related to “state security.” Security personnel may detain and/or deport U.S. citizens for sending private electronic messages critical of the Chinese government.
Extra security measures, such as security checks and increased levels of police presence, are common in the Xinjiang Uighur and Tibet Autonomous Regions. Authorities may impose curfews and travel restrictions on short notice.
China does not recognize dual nationality. U.S.-Chinese citizens and U.S. citizens of Chinese heritage may be subject to additional scrutiny and harassment, and China may prevent the U.S. Embassy from providing consular services.
The State Department says the Chinese government is trying to lure certain individuals back to China.