China issued a warning to its citizens traveling to the US

Business Insider
Jul 5, 2018
1 minute read
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SUMMARY

The Chinese Embassy in Washington issued a notice on June 30, 2018, telling its citizens to take caution when traveling to the US over summer. “First, t…

The Chinese Embassy in Washington issued a notice on June 30, 2018, telling its citizens to take caution when traveling to the US over summer.

"First, the United States medical expenses are expensive," the notice said, encouraging its citizens to organize health cover in advance of travel.

The notice also warned that "US law and order is not good, and shootings, robberies, and theft are frequent." Gun violence is a leading cause of death in the US.


"You should be on alert to suspicious people around you and avoid going out alone at night," the notice also said.

China has issued warnings against the high rate of gun violence in the US in the past.

In 2017, the Chinese consulate in Los Angeles published a guide for citizens on how to respond to an active-shooter situation. And in April, 2018, the Chinese Foreign Ministry issued an advisory on popular messaging platform WeChat urging citizens to "be careful and prepare for the possibility that gun crimes may occur at workplaces, schools, at home and at tourist sites," the New York Times reported.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China headquarters.

The embassy notice issued on June 30, 2018, also discussed US border policy, and notified tourists that border patrol have the right to inspect travelers and to check their nationality and purpose of entry without a search warrant. But it also advised citizens to be vigilant.

"If the parties involved believe that the law enforcement officers have engaged in improper law enforcement or discriminatory practices, please keep the relevant evidence and ask to make a complaint to their superiors in person," it said. "Sparking controversy with on-site law enforcement personnel is not helpful for resolving the obstruction of entry, and may even lead to a deterioration of the situation."

The US has come under international scrutiny over the Trump administration's tightened border security measures, including its "zero-tolerance" policy, which has seen more than 2,300 migrant families separated. Several videos have also surfaced showing border agents patrolling bus stations and asking travelers for identification.

In 2017, the US saw a drop in foreign tourism, which some dubbed the "Trump Slump." According to Travel + Leisure, the US welcomed 72.9 million foreign visitors in 2017, down from the previous year's 75.9 million, though the decline was only about 4%.

Under the Obama administration, the US saw record high numbers in 2015 with 77.5 million foreign visitors, Travel + Leisure added.

In 2016, nearly 3 million Chinese tourists visited the US and spent $33 billion, more than tourists from any other country.

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