US issues level 3 travel advisory to China amid safety concerns. Here's what to know (2024)

FAQs

US issues level 3 travel advisory to China amid safety concerns. Here's what to know? ›

The U.S. is asking Americans to reconsider traveling to China due to various reasons, including concerns about health and safety, such as the prevalence of contagious diseases like COVID-19, as well as political tensions or security risks in certain regions.

Level 3 - Reconsider Travel: Avoid travel due to serious risks to safety and security. The Department of State provides additional advice for travelers in these areas in the Travel Advisory. Conditions in any country may change at any time.

The safety numbers do a good job of telling China's story. Numbeo, which crowdsources its rankings, says that China is one of the safest countries in the world. It's ranked 19th, ahead of countries like Denmark and the Netherlands which American travelers have named some of the world's safest places.

Avoid making or receiving voice calls, using voice mail, using IM or SMS, or sending or receiving faxes. Even powered-off cell phones may be able to be turned into surreptitious monitoring and geolocation devices.

The counterintelligence and economic espionage efforts emanating from the government of China and the Chinese Communist Party are a grave threat to the economic well-being and democratic values of the United States. Confronting this threat is the FBI's top counterintelligence priority.

In general, China is considered safe for tourists, with low crime rates and a helpful population. However, there are areas that should be avoided, especially for solo travelers.

Does China scan your phone? ›

China's state security police will be given sweeping powers to search electronic devices including smartphones and laptops from July 1, as part of a nationwide campaign to ensure "national security," a broad term often used by the government to include detailed economic data and political dissent.

The following items are prohibited from entering China: arms, ammunition, and explosives of all kinds; counterfeit currencies and counterfeit negotiable securities; printed matter, magnetic media, films, or photographs which are deemed to be detrimental to the political, economic, cultural and moral interests of China; ...

Security Best Practices in High-Risk Countries:

Disable bluetooth when not in use. Avoid public wifi and public hotspots. Use VPN if use of public wifi or hotspots is unavoidable. Use trusted wifi instead of cellular data whenever possible.

Level 4 – Do Not Travel: This is the highest advisory level due to greater likelihood of life-threatening risks.

"Violent crimes, such as home invasions, armed robberies, sexual assaults, and homicides, are common. Sexual assaults occur frequently, including at all-inclusive resorts," the agency warned in a Level 3 advisory about Jamaica — just one level below the most severe warning against travel to Americans.

Mainland China – Level 3: Reconsider Travel.

Italy - Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution

Exercise increased caution due to terrorism.