US considers relaxing travel warnings for China-bound Americans - Times of India
Source: The Times of India
Author: Toi World Desk
NEW DELHI: The US is contemplating lifting travel advisories for its citizens travelling to China, deputy secretary of state Kurt Campbell mentioned on Tuesday. He recognised worries that these advisories could have restricted interactions between Americans and Chinese individuals.
Campbell, speaking at an event organised by the non-profit National Committee on US-China relations, noted that communication channels between Washington and Beijing had largely returned to normalcy following months of heightened tensions.
However, he cautioned that China's support for Russia's war in Ukraine jeopardised efforts to stabilise relations.
The state department has periodically issued tiered advisories for Americans planning trips to China, urging them to reassess their visits or be extra cautious due to potential risks such as "arbitrary enforcement of local laws," exit bans, and wrongful detentions.
However, the presidents of both countries have endeavored to rebuild people-to-people exchanges as a cornerstone for managing the escalating geopolitical competition between the superpowers.
"I don't want to speculate prematurely, but I would just say that this is definitely a matter being actively considered," Campbell stated when questioned about whether the US would relax the advisories. He accepted the notion that they had hindered academic and other exchanges.
China has issued travel advisories for the US and condemned what it perceives as escalating harassment of Chinese nationals by US authorities at entry points, allegations US officials have denied.
Despite China's advisories, hundreds of thousands of Chinese students pursue education in the United States, whereas only a few hundred Americans study in China. However, the state department's second-ranking diplomat, who previously asserted that China aided Moscow in "retooling" and strengthening its military following initial setbacks in the Ukraine conflict, warned Beijing bluntly about its "significant" support for Russia's war endeavors.
"We have directly informed China that if this behavior persists, it will affect the US-China relationship. We will not stand idly by and pretend that everything is normal," Campbell said.
"If Russia gains territory in Ukraine, it will alter the balance of power in Europe in ways that are unacceptable to the US" He continued, saying, "And we will see this not as just a Russian unique set of activities, but a conjoined set of activities backed by China, but also North Korea," Campbell said.
Regarding Chinese migration to the US, Campbell further added, "Potentially 'hundreds of thousands' of Chinese migrants fleeing weaker economic conditions in China have come to the US in recent months." He expressed concern, saying, "The numbers that we're seeing are large and, frankly, of gathering concern." Campbell indicated that Beijing was aware of the situation but did not seem to be taking steps to curtail the flow.
(With inputs from agencies)
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