Chinese Embassy in the UK Lodges Representations Over Citizens Detained and Searched at Entry and Exit

On October 20, 2026, the Chinese Embassy in the UK issued a reminder stating that recently there have been multiple cases of Chinese citizens being detained and questioned for long periods by UK border law enforcement personnel when entering or exiting the UK, with their mobile phones and other electronic devices searched and seized, involving personnel of economic and trade delegations visiting the UK, people visiting relatives, and ordinary tourists. The UK side claims to have taken action under the UK's 2019 Counter-Terrorism and Border Security Act, and the Chinese side has lodged solemn representations. The embassy reminded Chinese citizens in the UK and those planning to come to the UK to raise their self-protection awareness, protect their personal property and privacy, and published consular protection and assistance phone numbers. On October 21, media reports further confirmed the above situation, stating that those detained and searched involved personnel of economic and trade delegations visiting the UK, people visiting relatives for private purposes, and ordinary tourists, and that the Chinese side has lodged solemn representations with the UK side. The incident remains at the stage of Chinese representations and embassy reminders, and no UK response or subsequent handling results have been reported.