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US warns that citizens traveling to China could be prevented from returning home The US Department of State is urging those traveling to China to “exercise increased caution,” warning that US citizens could be prevented from leaving China due to its “coercive” use of exit bans. In an updated advisory released yesterday (January 3, 2019), the State Department kept China at Level 2 — the same as 2018 — “due to arbitrary enforcement of local laws as well as special restrictions on dual U.S.-Chinese nationals.” However, it expanded upon the potential risks posed to US citizens by the country’s exit bans. “Chinese authorities have asserted broad authority to prohibit U.S. citizens from leaving China by using ‘exit bans,’ sometimes keeping U.S. citizens in China for years,” the advisory said. “China uses exit bans coercively: to compel U.S. citizens to participate in Chinese government investigations, to lure individuals back to China from abroad, and to aid Chinese authorities in resolving civil disputes in favor of Chinese parties,” the advisory warned. The advisory noted that US citizens under exit bans “have been harassed and threatened,” and that most don’t find out about the exit bans until they attempt to leave the country. “There is no method to find out how long the ban may continue,” the advisory said. The State Department warned that citizens “may be detained without access to U.S. consular services or information about their alleged crime.” “U.S. citizens may be subjected to prolonged interrogations and extended detention for reasons related to ‘state security.’ Security personnel may detain and/or deport U.S. citizens for sending private electronic messages critical of the Chinese government,” the advisory said. The advisory also warned that China does not recognize dual nationality, and “U.S.-Chinese citizens and U.S. citizens of Chinese heritage may be subject to additional scrutiny and harassment.” According to a State Department official, “the Department of State routinely updates our Travel Advisories and country-specific information for all countries based on a comprehensive review of all available safety information and ongoing developments.” “At a minimum, we review Level 1 and 2 Travel Advisories every 12 months. The previous Travel Advisory for China was issued in January 2018; the new Advisory was updated as part of the regular annual review and reaffirms China at a Level 2,” the official said. In a recent high-profile case, Victor and Cynthia Liu, and their mother, Sandra Han, are believed to have been prevented from leaving China. where they have been held since June. All three are US citizens. US authorities told CNN they are working closely with the two Liu , who are reportedly being used to pressure their father, Liu Changming, a high-profile Chinese fugitive, into returning to Beijing, where he is wanted for financial crimes. China has accused the Liu family of being “involved in economic crimes.” US national security adviser John Bolton said in a Twitter post in November that “these Americans need to be allowed to return home.”  Honesty is the best policy. |
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goannaoil, You are my bloggers friend for many years and read my profile, you know I was born and raised in Taiwan. Today, I want to tell you the differences between the Taiwanese and Chinese in Mainland China. I am a 60+ old woman. When I was 4 to 17 my mom took me to see many Disney Cartoon movies, i.e. Cinderella, Sleep Beauty, Baby Bambi, Pinocchio, ...., etc. I have had a very happy and healthy childhood. I watched Roman Holiday, Ben-Hur, Sound of Music, Moses, .... Taiwan let us watch any movies from foreign countries. While China was in turmoil, massacre "Cultural Revolution" for 10 years (from 1966 to 1976). Why do I want to say these? Because person's childhood is very important for the rest of their lives. I know China improved a lot after Mao. However, they are still one party only - Communist. Their government control their people and not allow people to know the outside world. No Google search, Google Maps, YouTube, Android, no FaceBook, no Instagram, .... Knowledge is King. If you don't use the world communication tools, how can you gain knowledge?? If you are 60+, you had a hatred childhood, the nightmares are in your mind. They know the killing was wrong, but they needed to report others in order to save themselves. How many innocent people died in vain and nobody can talk about those days. Nobody complained about their government. No bipartisan policy. They are silent lambs. No "Checks and Balances" of their leader. Whatever the leader said or did, they have to follow. Chiang Kai-Shek moved to Taiwan since 1949. At least he didn't ban Taiwanese to learn English, to travel outside of Taiwan. Taiwan was one of the 4 leading countries in UN (United Nation) that had "veto right" until end of 1979. We know Vietnam, Korea and Germany, they all have same language but different mentalities, different policies. We know the communist side, (North Vietnam, North Korea, East Germany) are much poor. On the other hand, South Vietnam, South Korea and West Germany are very rich and prosperity. Now get down to what I want to say. China used many "method" to cut off diplomatic relationship with many countries in the world. Taiwan didn't kill their own people as comparison to Cultural Revolution. Taiwan didn't ban English learning (Mrs. Chiang graduated from USA and she presented a speech in US Congress House), Taiwanese could freely to travel abroad (my aunt came to USA when I was 3rd grade). If China wants to unify with Taiwan, they have to use "peaceful" method, no killing. They have to change to Democracy, they have to open for Google search, Google Maps, Google Translate, Android, FaceBook, Instagram, .... Everything that modern world are doing. Not to threaten Taiwan with bombs and weapons. Just leave us alone. The 70 years separation has made two sides very different. Freedom is very important. Freedom of speech, press and religion. Honesty is the best policy.
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When this breaking news broadcasted on TV yesterday, all the airline company, travel plan agencies (Priceline, Expedia, ...) all stocks plunged sharply in addition to Apple Inc. pre-earning warning that its revenue can't meet analyst's estimate. Taiwan doesn't exercise this "exit bans coercively" policy. Honesty is the best policy.
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