Americans traveling to China are being warned about the possibility of detention, electronic surveillance and restrictions that could keep them from returning home â with a travel expert sharing critical information for people to know before they go. The U.S.State Department issued an updated Level 2 "Exercise Increased Caution" advisory for mainland China this week, citing concerns about wrongful detention and restrictions on leaving the country.Travelers are told to be aware that routine professional, academic and personal activities â which carry no risk in Western countries â may be treated as criminal offenses under China's broad security laws.STATE DEPARTMENT ISSUES TRAVEL ADVISORY AS ARRESTS AND EXIT BANS HIT POPULAR DESTINATIONThe advisory also raises concerns about private communications, warning Americans that emails, texts and social media activity could be monitored by Chinese authorities."Assume that China's security services can read your emails, texts and social media posts if you send them to or from China," the Oct.
19 advisory states.Americans traveling to China are being warned about the risk of detention and restrictions that could prevent them from returning home.(Ju Huanzong/Xinhua via Getty Images)The State Department said some people have been detained or deported over private messages considered critical of Chinese authorities, even when those messages were sent outside China.The risks extend beyond electronic communications.CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTERThe State Department elaborated on possible detention without justification."The U.S.
Department of State has determined that Americans are at serious risk of wrongful detention by the Government of China," the advisory states.Travelers could face restrictions that prevent them from leaving the country â even if they haven't been detained.(iStock)Those detained could spend years behind bars with limited contact with family members or U.S.
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