The U.S. Department of state issued a memo to tourists, urging Americans to «exercise extreme caution» when traveling in China.
«The Chinese government announced its broad powers to prohibit US citizens to leave China with the «exit bans» that sometimes the years keep US citizens in China,» — said on the website of the state Department.
According to the memo, the most vulnerable groups are considered tourists with dual citizenship or Americans of Chinese descent. At the same time about its new status they find out only when trying to leave China.
According to the state Department, there are several reasons why the Chinese government uses exit bans:
- to force US citizens to participate in government investigations;
- to lure people back to China from abroad;
- to assist the Chinese authorities in the resolution of civil disputes in favour of parties.
After the American falls under the ban, it can be hold in China for many years and not allowed to the consular services of the United States, said in the memo. In addition, in such cases, some of the «harassment and threats» from the authorities.
«U.S. citizens can be subjected to lengthy interrogations and prolonged detention for reasons related to «national security». The security officers can detain and/or deport US citizens for sending personal e-mails with criticism of the Chinese government,» warned the Agency.
New memo to tourists, who is going to China, considered the recommendations of the second security level. This means that it calls for caution. Memo of the same level issued for travel to Algeria, Antarctica, Belgium, France, Germany, Denmark, Myanmar and the UK.
