China issues a travel advisory warning on travel to the US in June 2019.
Context
On June 4, 2019, China issued a travel advisory notice – in place until December 31, 2019 – warning its citizens to “fully assess the risks” before travelling to the United States. Chinese state media reportedly explained the advisory notice to citizens by noting that “[r]ecently there have been shootings, robberies and thefts happening frequently in the US”, adding “[t]he Ministry of Culture and Tourism reminds Chinese tourists to fully assess the risks of going to the US for travel”.
A spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Geng Shuang, defended the measure during a press conference on the same day, saying that “I believe it is only necessary in light of current circumstances. China would not have done so were it not necessary,” and claiming that “[f]or some time, US law enforcement agencies have been harassing Chinese citizens with interrogation upon entry or exit and on-site interviews, among other forms.” According to one media report, this was the first time in over a decade that Beijing had issued a travel advisory notice on the US.
This may have been retaliation for a similar travel advisory issued by the US government to its citizens in January 2019 – which said they should “exercise increased caution” on visits to China. Additionally, this measure was taken during a bilateral trade war between Washington and Beijing – with negotiations on trade ending badly the previous month. Additionally, on the same day as the advisory was issued, then US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo commemorated the thirtieth anniversary of the Tiananmen Square protests – angering Beijing.
Impact
This measure impacted tourism and associated spending in luxury goods by tourists. US data from the first nine months of 2019 showed a 4.7% drop compared to the previous year. A New York Times report from June 12, 2019, noted a decline in spending by Chinese tourists to the US, even prior to the issuance of this travel advisory notice. For example, the report claimed that “[i]n New York City, spending by Chinese tourists, who spend nearly twice as much as other foreign visitors, fell 12 percent in the first quarter.” Impacted industries reportedly include “retailers and attractions like amusement parks and casinos” – in addition to traditional tourism industry staples like flights and hotels.
Responses
i) US government and industry responses.
Several US firms, including jewellers Tiffany & Co, blamed US-China tensions and a decrease in tourism for disappointing sales. On January 2, 2020, the US government once again renewed its own travel advisory on China, issuing a short statement that said “[t]he Department (of State) continues to advise travelers to exercise increased caution in China due to arbitrary enforcement of local laws and special restrictions on dual U.S.-Chinese citizens.”
i) Other states’ government and industry responses.
One American commentary compared the case to China’s weaponisation of tourism in South Korea in 2016-17.
Status
The Chinese government had continued to issue several subsequent travel advisory warnings, which were in place until the end of 2019. English language media does not suggest that the advisory was extended at that point. However, tourism did not subsequently recover until 2023, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Reference list
BBC News. 2019. “China issues US travel warning over ‘shootings’.” BBC News. June 5. Available at: https://www.bbc.com/news/business-48522488
Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the United States of America. ‘Important Notices’ [重要通知], available at: http://us.china-embassy.gov.cn/zytz/index_4.htm.
Hansen, C. 2019. “China Issues Travel Advisories for Citizens Going to U.S., Citing Harassment, Shootings.” U.S. News. June 4. Available at: https://www.usnews.com/ news/national-news/articles/2019-06-04/china-issues-travel-advisories-for-citizens-going-to-us-citing-harassment-shootings
Geng, S. 2019. “Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Geng Shuang’s Regular Press Conference on June 4, 2019.” Consulate-General of the People’s Republic of China in Sydney. June 4. Available at: http://sydney.china-consulate.gov.cn/eng/fyrth/201906/t20190604_111594.htm
Los Angeles Times. 2019. “China warns against U.S. travel, threatening luxury goods makers that rely on tourists.” Los Angeles Times. June 4. Available at: https:// www.latimes.com/world/asia/la-fg-china-travel-alert-us-20190604-story.html
Panda, A. 2019. “China’s US Travel Alert: Weaponizing Tourism Amid the Trade War?.” The Diplomat. June 5. Available at: https://thediplomat.com/2019/06/chinas-us-travel-alert-weaponizing-tourism-amid-the-trade-war/
Shivdas, S. 2019. “Chinese travel to U.S. shrinks 4.7% in first nine months of 2019.” Reuters. October 26. Available at: https://www.reuters.com/article/usa-china-travel/chinese-travel-to-us-shrinks-47-in-first-nine-months-of-2019-idUSL3N25W2OE/
U.S. Mission China. “Updated Travel Advisory.” US Embassy and Consulates in China. January 2. Available at: https://china.usembassy-china.org.cn/updated-travel-advisory-2-jan-2020/
Xinhua. 2019. “China issues U.S. travel alert.” Xinhua. June 4. Available at: