China Urges Travelers to Avoid Seattle Airport After Scholars Denied Entry
Chinese government officials have advised citizens to avoid entering the United States through Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, citing a pattern of harassment by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) personnel. This warning follows an incident where approximately twenty Chinese scholars, holding valid visas, were denied entry after being subjected to what China Consular Affairs described as unreasonable inspections. The scholars were traveling to attend an academic conference when they were turned back. In a post on social media platform X, the Chinese Foreign Ministry and Embassy urged travelers to prioritize safety and security, recommending they avoid the Seattle airport specifically. Additionally, authorities advised citizens to familiarize themselves with U.S. entry regulations and to remain calm and rational if questioned by enforcement officers. While requests for comment were sent to U.S. federal agencies and Chinese diplomatic missions, no immediate response was reported. The advisory highlights growing tensions regarding travel and academic exchanges, impacting a significant Chinese diaspora community in the Seattle area, which ranked as the sixth-largest metro area for Chinese residents in the U.S. as of 2019.
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China Urges Travelers to Avoid Seattle Airport After Scholars Denied Entry
Chinese government officials have advised citizens to avoid entering the United States through Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, citing a pattern of harassment by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) personnel. This warning follows an incident where approximately twenty Chinese scholars, holding valid visas, were denied entry after being subjected to what China Consular Affairs described as unreasonable inspections. The scholars were traveling to attend an academic conference when they were turned back. In a post on social media platform X, the Chinese Foreign Ministry and Embassy urged travelers to prioritize safety and security, recommending they avoid the Seattle airport specifically. Additionally, authorities advised citizens to familiarize themselves with U.S. entry regulations and to remain calm and rational if questioned by enforcement officers. While requests for comment were sent to U.S. federal agencies and Chinese diplomatic missions, no immediate response was reported. The advisory highlights growing tensions regarding travel and academic exchanges, impacting a significant Chinese diaspora community in the Seattle area, which ranked as the sixth-largest metro area for Chinese residents in the U.S. as of 2019.
AP News