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China Warns Its Citizens About Traveling to the US

July 02, 2018
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2 min read
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China Warns Its Citizens About Traveling to the US
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The Chinese Embassy in Washington has issued a travel alert to Chinese citizens detailing the dangers of summer travel in the US, warning that "Law and order are not well-enforced in America."

The notice, issued on June 28, states that "gunfights, stabbings, and muggings are common" in the US. It also advises Chinese tourists to "be very vigilant about the people around you, and avoid walking out alone at night."

Additionally, the Chinese Embassy said that Chinese travelers in the US should be aware that medical and healthcare costs are "expensive," and told them to be prepared for natural disasters that might hit the US during the summer months. About 3 million tourists from China visit the US each year.

And it's not only China that has been calling the US dangerous. According to recent safety rankings from the Institute for Economics and Peace, the US isn't even in the top 120 safest countries in the world. America clocks in at lowly No. 121 on the organization's Global Peace Index, which analyzes the safety of 163 nations based on cultural, economic and political factors, such as ongoing domestic and international conflict.

The US has also been warning its citizens about the potential dangers of traveling in China, although the most recent alerts have been health-related. At the end of May, the US State Department issued a notice that warned US citizens in China of the potential for sonic attacks that cause symptoms of mild brain injury or concussion.

The alert states that if US citizens in China experience “unusual acute auditory or sensory phenomena accompanied by unusual sounds or piercing noises,” they should move away from the area immediately. The statement also advised that travelers in China who develop symptoms after a trip to the country should seek medical attention immediately. So far, only US diplomatic personnel have exhibited symptoms consistent with those mysterious "sonic attacks."

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The US State Department currently has China ranked at a level 2 travel advisory, which means US travelers should "exercise increased caution." The State Department website attributes this slightly increased level of vigilance to "Chinese authorities have the broad ability to prohibit travelers from leaving China."

H/T: Travel + Leisure

Featured image by Getty Images

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  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

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  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
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  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.