In brief
In a recent statement, the Chinese government has warned its citizens about potential harassment they may face at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Citing incidents involving Chinese scholars being denied entry and subjected to unreasonable inspections by US Customs and Border Protection, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs encouraged travelers to approach plans for visiting the US with caution and to be well-prepared with knowledge of US entry regulations.
SEATTLE (AP) — Officials from the Chinese government are advising travelers to exercise caution and avoid entering the United States through Seattle due to ongoing reports of harassment from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) personnel. Recently, approximately 20 Chinese scholars with valid visas experienced issues upon landing at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport while traveling for an academic conference. According to a post shared by the Chinese Consular Affairs on X, these academics faced 'unreasonable inspections' and were subsequently refused entry into the country.In light of these incidents, the Chinese foreign ministry has urged citizens planning to visit the U.S. to prioritize their safety and security, recommending that they avoid using the Seattle airport. Additionally, the ministry has advised travelers to familiarize themselves with U.S. entry regulations and remain calm if questioned by enforcement personnel. This guidance comes as Seattle was noted by the Pew Research Center as having a significant Chinese population, ranking sixth among U.S. metro areas in 2019, with approximately 166,000 residents.
