Washington, September 10, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The United States has updated its travel advisory for China, warning American citizens about arbitrary enforcement of local laws, surveillance, exit bans and the risk of unjust arrest or detention.
The US State Department has retained its Level 2 travel advisory for mainland China, urging Americans to exercise increased caution. The advisory was issued on September 4 and publicised this week by the Office of the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs.
The department said China’s national security, counterespionage and data security laws give authorities broad powers to question or detain foreign nationals. Americans could face such scrutiny while carrying out routine business, conducting research or engaging in public expression, it warned.
According to the advisory, particular risks may apply to US citizens of Chinese heritage, individuals involved in business disputes and those associated with US companies engaged in disputes in China. Travellers with current or former links to US law enforcement, the military, intelligence agencies or the federal government could also face heightened scrutiny. People travelling under US government-funded programmes may similarly face risks.
The State Department warned that US citizens could be detained without being informed of the accusations against them or being given access to consular assistance. It said journalists, academics, businesspeople and former government personnel had faced questioning, detention or expulsion.
The advisory also highlighted China’s use of exit bans. According to the department, such restrictions have been used to compel individuals to cooperate with investigations, resolve civil disputes in favour of Chinese citizens or pressure relatives and associates to return to China. Exit bans have also allegedly been used to gain leverage over foreign governments.
Travellers may not discover that an exit ban has been imposed until they attempt to leave the country. The department said there may be no available legal process to challenge such a ban in court.
The US also cautioned Americans about digital surveillance, advising them to assume that Chinese security services can access emails, text messages and social media posts sent to or from China.
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