Photo: Screenshot from the WeChat account of the Department of Consular Affairs, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Around 20 Chinese scholars holding valid legal visas were recently subjected to unreasonable questioning by the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and were denied entry while traveling to the US for an academic conference. Given the successive incidents of malicious questioning and harassment targeting Chinese scholars at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Chinese embassy and consulates in the US issued a reminder on Thursday to Chinese citizens intending to travel to the US recently to be aware of safety risks, and avoid entry from this airport.

According to a statement released by the Department of Consular Affairs in its WeChat account, in view of repeated incidents of malicious questioning and harassment of Chinese scholars at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Chinese embassy and consulates in the US also urged Chinese travelers to review US entry rules in advance and prepare accordingly. Meanwhile, travelers are advised to remain calm and respond rationally if questioned by the US law enforcement officers. 

Global Times