The United States government has issued a new travel advisory, strongly urging Americans to reconsider travel to China due to the escalating risk of arbitrary detention and the selective enforcement of local laws. This warning follows the recent life imprisonment of a 78-year-old American citizen on espionage charges, highlighting the potential dangers faced by US citizens in China.

The State Department emphasizes the arbitrary nature of law enforcement in China, noting that exit bans can be imposed on US citizens without due process. Americans traveling or residing within China risk detention without access to consular services or clear information regarding the charges against them. This arbitrary enforcement affects various groups, from businesspeople and academics to journalists and relatives of Chinese citizens involved in legal disputes, who have been subjected to interrogation and detention under broad national security laws.

Chinese flags fly at Tiananmen Square.

The State Department also warns of "exit bans," which prevent individuals from leaving China and are often used to compel participation in government investigations, pressure family members abroad to return, or gain leverage in negotiations with foreign governments.

In May, John Shing-Wan Leung, a US citizen and Hong Kong permanent resident, received a life sentence for alleged espionage. The details surrounding his case remain undisclosed. While the US Embassy in Beijing acknowledged awareness of Leung’s situation, they declined further comment, citing privacy concerns.

People in line for COVID tests in Macau.

The advisory underscores the broad discretion Chinese authorities possess in classifying information as state secrets, enabling them to detain and prosecute foreign nationals for alleged espionage. The State Department further advises increased caution for travel to Hong Kong and recommends reconsidering trips to Macau due to similar concerns regarding arbitrary law enforcement.

Hong Kong skyline.