US Issues New Travel Warning for China, Hong Kong

The US this week cited the risk of “arbitrary detention” and “arbitrary enforcement of local laws” to issue a sweeping new advisory warning against travel to China and Hong Kong.

The advisory is believed to increase tensions between the sides that have already spiked since Beijing's imposition of the strict new national security law over Hong Kong. The decision had already been met with a series of punitive actions by the US.

The statement released by the US warned its citizens of “arbitrary detention and exit bans” imposed by China to compel cooperation with investigations, pressure family members to return to China from abroad, influence civil disputes, and “gain bargaining leverage over foreign governments.”

The newly imposed security law in Hong Kong which came into effect on June 30, 2020, revolves around secession, subversion, terrorism, and collusion. The law states that the four categories of crime are punishable by a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. Article 38 of the law applies to people from outside Hong Kong, and “who are not permanent residents of Hong Kong.

According to the advisory, “the US citizens travelling or residing in China or Hong Kong, maybe detained without access to US consular services or information about their alleged crime. US citizens may be subjected to prolonged interrogations and extended detention without due process of law.”

Read: How Hong Kong’s New Security Law can Apply to All of Us

In Hong Kong, China “unilaterally and arbitrarily exercises police and security power,” the advisory said, adding that new legislation also covers offenses committed by non-Hong Kong residents or organisations outside of Hong Kong, possibly subjecting US citizens who have publicly criticised China to a “heightened risk of arrest, detention, expulsion, or prosecution.” When in Hong Kong, US citizens are “strongly cautioned to be aware of their surroundings and avoid demonstrations,” the advisory said.

Meanwhile, Wang Wenbin, spokesperson to the Chinese foreign ministry told that the US should “fully respect the facts and should not engage in unwarranted political manipulation” when issuing such advisories.

“China has always protected the safety and legal rights of foreigners in China by the law. China is one of the safest countries in the world,” Wang said. “Of course, foreigners in China also have an obligation to abide by Chinese laws.”

Earlier last month, the Trump administration had suspended or terminated three bilateral agreements with Hong Kong citing Beijing’s violation of its pledge for Hong Kong to retain broad autonomy for 50 years after its handover to Chinese rule. Following the national security law’s passage, other western nations have also suspended their extradition treaties with Hong Kong.