China Urges Citizens to Avoid Seattle Airport
AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson
Chinese government officials are warning their citizens to use caution when traveling to the United States through Seattle, saying some travelers have faced repeated problems with U.S. border authorities.
The warning follows a recent incident involving about 20 Chinese scholars who were traveling to attend an academic conference in the United States. According to China Consular Affairs, the group arrived at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport with valid visas but was subjected to what officials described as unreasonable inspections by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers. The scholars were ultimately denied entry into the country.
China’s foreign ministry and several Chinese diplomatic missions in the United States issued a public advisory about the situation. In the notice, officials said some travelers had been subjected to what they called malicious questioning and harassment by U.S. border personnel.
The advisory encouraged Chinese citizens planning to travel to the United States to place a strong emphasis on personal safety and security and specifically warned travelers about entering the country through Seattle. It also urged travelers to familiarize themselves with U.S. entry requirements before arriving.
The statement advised that if travelers are questioned by U.S. law enforcement or border officers, they should remain calm and respond in a rational manner.
This advisory is part of a broader series of complaints from Beijing regarding how Chinese citizens with valid U.S. visas have been questioned at ports of entry. Chinese officials have argued that some of these interrogations are politically motivated.
Seattle is home to one of the largest Chinese communities in the United States. According to data from the Pew Research Center, the Seattle metropolitan area ranked sixth in the country for its Chinese population in 2019, with roughly 166,000 residents.
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