IMPORTANT: U.S. citizens in China

http://travel.state.gov/china_announce.html

[b]American citizens in China should be aware of the following Public Announcement that was released by the Department of State on April 19, 2001.

The Ministry of State Security (MSS) of the People’s Republic of China has recently taken into custody several American citizens and U.S. permanent residents of Chinese origin. Of these, at least two Americans are now being detained by Chinese authorities under suspicion of espionage or damaging China’s national security, even
though the Chinese government has not offered any evidence to substantiate these allegations. Others have been questioned for up to four days and then released.

The Department of State cautions Americans, especially Americans originally from China, that there may be a risk of being detained
upon returning to China if they have at any time engaged in activities or published writings critical of Chinese government
policies. In some cases, travel to Taiwan or involvement with Taiwan media organizations has apparently also been regarded as the
equivalent of espionage by MSS. Therefore, persons with a history of such activities or writings should carefully evaluate this
information in deciding whether to travel to China.

It should be noted as well that the Americans recently detained by MSS had previously visited China without incident, but were nonetheless detained during their most recent visits. At least two of the Americans were identified by MSS as persons of interest even though they had changed their names in the U.S. upon naturalization
or marriage.

U.S. Citizens planning to visit or reside in China are advised to consult the Department of State’s Consular Information Sheet (CIS)
for the People’s Republic of China. The CIS provides the addresses, telephone numbers, and fax numbers for the U.S. Embassy and
Consulates General, along with other important information for Americans living or traveling China. It is available at any U.S. embassy or consulate abroad and through the Department of State, Bureauy of Consular Affairs internet home page at
http://travel.state.gov.

This public announcement does not apply to Hong Kong or Macau Special Administrative Regions, or to Taiwan.

This Public Announcement expires December 27, 2001.[/b]

http://travel.state.gov/china_announce.html