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Reminder: Security Alert – Heightened Risk of Arbitrary Detention
4 MINUTE READ
July 24, 2020

Location:  People’s Republic of China

Event: Exercise increased caution in the People’s Republic of China (PRC) due to arbitrary enforcement of local laws for purposes other than maintaining law and order. This arbitrary enforcement may include detention and the use of exit bans.

U.S. 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 PRC government.

If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy or the nearest consulate immediately. See the contact information for the Embassy and Consulates below for further information.

You are encouraged to visit travel.state.gov to view individual Travel Advisories for the most urgent threats to safety and security. Please also visit the website of the relevant U.S. embassy or consulate to see information on entry restrictions, foreign quarantine policies, and urgent health information provided by local governments.

Travelers are urged to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency. The Department uses these Alerts to convey information about terrorist threats, security incidents, planned demonstrations, natural disasters, etc. For emergency assistance, please contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate or call the following numbers: 1(888) 407-4747 (toll-free in the United States and Canada) or 1 (202) 501-4444 from other countries or jurisdictions.

Assistance:  

U.S. Embassy Beijing, China

Telephone: +(86)(10) 8531-4000

Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(86)(10) 8531-4000

Email: BeijingACS@state.gov

 

U.S. Consulate General Chengdu, China

Telephone: +(86)(10) 8531-4000

Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(86)(10) 8531-4000

Email: BeijingACS@state.gov

Website: https://china.usembassy-china.org.cn

 

U.S. Consulate General Guangzhou, China

Telephone: +(86)(20) 3814-5775

Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(86)(10) 8531-4000

Email: GuangzhouACS@state.gov

 

U.S. Consulate General Shanghai, China

Telephone: +(86)(21) 8011-2400

Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(86)(10) 8531-4000

Email: ShanghaiACS@state.gov

 

U.S. Consulate General Shenyang, China

Telephone: +(86)(24) 2322-1198

Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(86)(24) 2322-1198

Email: ShenyangACS@state.gov