US State Department Issues Level 2 Travel Advisory for Mainland China: Exercise Increased Caution

The US State Department issued a Level 2 travel advisory for mainland China, urging increased caution due to arbitrary enforcement of local laws, exit bans without fair and transparent process, and risk of unjust arrest or detention. The advisory states that expansive national security, counterespionage and data security laws grant Chinese officials broad discretion to detain or interrogate foreign nationals, including for routine business, research or public expression. Groups that may be targeted include US citizens of Chinese heritage or origin, those involved in business disputes, those affiliated with US law enforcement, military or intelligence, and those on US government-funded progr…