The US State Department warned American citizens on Saturday to "exercise increased caution" in China due to heightened risk of arbitrary law enforcement including detention and a ban from exiting the country.
“US citizens may be detained without access to US consular services or information about their alleged crime,” the State Department said in a security alert issued to its citizens in China, adding that US citizens may face “prolonged interrogations and extended detention” for reasons related to state security.
“Security personnel may detain and/or deport US citizensfor sending private electronic messages critical of the Chinese government,” it added, without citing specific examples. Thestate department also did not say what prompted the security
alert.
The security alert comes as bilateral tensions intensify over issues ranging from the COVID-19 pandemic, trade, the new Hong Kong security law and allegations of human rights violations against Uighurs in the Xinjiang region.
Washington and Beijing recently exchanged visa bans against each other’s officials, underscoring the deteriorating relations.

Washington warns American citizens of heightened detention risks in China

Reuters, Beijing
Saturday 11 July 2020
Last Update: Saturday, 11 July 2020 KSA 17:02 - GMT 14:02
DAY | WEEK |
-
1758 Views India self-reliant on coronavirus vaccines, says PM Modi, as 1 mln inoculated
-
1041 Views UAE confirms signing $23 bln deal to buy F-35 jets, drones from US
-
1022 Views Arab Coalition thwarts two attacks by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis
-
967 Views Israel shoots down drone in Israeli airspace from Lebanon: Army
-
723 Views Top Iran leader Khamenei posts Trump-like golfer image, vows revenge for Soleimani
-
578 Views New US national security advisor holds introductory calls with European officials
-
21404 Views Coronavirus: Doctor in Saudi Arabia leaves hospital after battling virus for 139 days
-
19000 Views Coronavirus: Number of new UAE COVID-19 cases reaches record high
-
16707 Views Airstrikes pound Iran-backed militias south of Iraq’s Baghdad: Reports
-
10599 Views Coronavirus: Dubai orders hospitals to cancel surgeries amid surge in COVID-19 cases
-
7720 Views Coronavirus: Dubai suspends live entertainment permits as COVID-19 cases surge
-
7701 Views Dubai to test launch iconic London Taxi vehicles using hybrid cabs
SHOW MORE