Americans Visiting China May Not Be Able to Return Home, State Department Warns

This is a level two advisory that pushes for increased caution that include other countries such as France, Germany and Denmark.

The People’s Republic of China exerts control over visiting U.S. citizens through “exit bans” that can keep U.S. citizens in China for years. The ban specifically targets U.S.-Chinese citizens or Americans of Chinese heritage.

The goal of the ban is to, “compel U.S. citizens to participate in Chinese government investigations, to lure individuals back to China from abroad, and to aid Chinese authorities in resolving civil disputes in favor of Chinese parties,” according to the travel advisory.

Those harassed by authorities about the ban often do not find out how long the ban lasts and when it will be lifted.

The warning also mentioned extra security checks and more police presence in the Xinjiang Uighur and Tibet Autonomous Regions.

The last travel warning about China from the State Department came on Jan. 22, 2018 due to the “the arbitrary enforcement of local laws and special restrictions on dual U.S.-Chinese nationals.”

Feature images via Instagram (left) @leonardwong96 (right) @airlines.world.pics