The US State Department has updated its travel advice on Hong Kong based on the implementation of China's national security law, which is tantamount to ending independence in a largely independent city.
"Since the
enactment of the National Security Legislation on July 1, the PRC has exercised
unilateral and arbitrary policy and security power in Hong Kong," the
State Department said on Monday, citing the People's Republic of China on its
website. ۔ "American citizens are strongly warned to be aware of their
surroundings and to refrain from demonstrations.
The "Level 3"
advice states that Americans should reconsider traveling to the city. It
replaces an earlier advisory issued in early June urging US citizens to
"take extra precautions."
The move comes amid
strained US-China relations over the treatment of Uighur minorities in western
China since the onset of the Kuwaid-19 epidemic and Beijing's increasingly
strong grip on Hong Kong. At the same time, the United States has reduced its
travel warning from mainland China to Level 4 to Level 3, advising citizens not
to "travel."
In Beijing, the Foreign
Ministry criticized Hong Kong's travel warning, calling China "the safest
country on earth."
"Of course,
foreigners in China are also required to abide by our laws," said Wang
Wenbin, a spokesman for the ministry. "So before issuing this travel
advice, let the US side know the basic facts, rather than political
manipulation." Should be’ respected. "
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