U.S. State Department China travel advisory: Key points to note for Americans planning a trip to China

Americans planning a trip to China are being warned about the risk of wrongful detention, electronic surveillance and restrictions on leaving the country. The US State Department has updated its travel advisory, adding a specific warning about the possibility of arbitrary detention under Chinese law.

The overall advisory remains at Level 2 meaning travelers should be more careful. The new warning points out risks that visitors may not expect, including limits tied to messages, business disputes and official investigations.

For Americans planning to visit mainland China, take note of these concerns before departure, which is an important part of preparing for the trip. The information is taken from Fox News and South China Morning Post.

Why has the US updated its China travel advisory

On Monday, the State Department added a “D” risk indicator for wrongful detention while keeping China at Level 2, or “Exercise Increased Caution.”

The department warns Americans about the “arbitrary enforcement of local laws, the use of exit bans without a fair and transparent process under the law, and the risk of wrongful detention”.

The advisory says some Americans could face detention for extended periods, with limited contact with family members or US officials. Travelers may also be prevented from leaving China, even if they have not been detained.

Exit bans have reportedly been used during investigations and business or civil disputes. They can also affect relatives of people under investigation, including children. In some cases, travelers may only discover the restriction when they try to leave the country.

The warning also covers electronic communications. The State Department advises Americans to assume that messages and social media activity could be monitored.

"Assume that China's security services can read your emails, texts and social media posts if you send them to or from China," the October 19 advisory states.

The department has also warned that private messages critical of Chinese authorities have led to detention or deportation in some cases, even when sent outside China.

What should Americans do before travelling to China

The State Department recommends that travellers do the following:

• carry a valid US passport
• Chinese visa
• enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program
• arrange regular check-ins with family members or employers

Travel expert and former flight attendant Bobby Laurie also urged visitors to be careful about their surroundings and what they photograph.

"Be aware of your surroundings. Think before you take a picture," Laurie advised. He explained that even an accidental encounter with a sensitive situation could create problems.

"This is one of those situations where maybe you were spotted taking pictures of law enforcement on the street, or you were somewhere you shouldn't have been. Maybe you were inadvertently near a protest … on the streets," he added.

Laurie also recommended taking only the electronic devices needed for the trip and leaving confidential information at home.

Why has the warning returned

The State Department removed the wrongful detention indicator from its China advisory in 2024 after Beijing released several detained Americans. Its return comes as Washington and Beijing work to maintain improving relations, with US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping expected to meet twice more this year.

US news outlet Semafor first reported the planned change, linking it to the detention of two American scholars, Chen Youlin and Min Zin. Both have been designated by the US government as wrongfully detained. Chinese authorities have accused them of espionage-related offenses.

The Chinese embassy in Washington rejected the US claims and defended the country's legal system.

“China firmly opposes the US side’s attempts to discredit China by citing so-called wrongful detentions as a pretext and updating its travel advisory accordingly,” an embassy spokesperson said. “The US side should promptly withdraw its inaccurate travel advisory, stop disrupting people-to-people exchanges between China and the US, and do more to promote friendly exchanges between the two peoples.” The James W. Foley Legacy Foundation says 12 Americans are currently wrongfully detained in China, including some affected by exit bans. The foundation has assessed 42 cases since 1998.