China - Consular Information Sheet
September 14, 1999
COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: The People's Republic of China has been a one-party state
controlled by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) since its founding in 1949. It is the most
populous country in the world, and one of the world's largest and fastest-growing
economies. Modern tourist facilities are not widely available, except in major cities.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: Valid visas are required, and those who arrive in China without a visa are usually fined at the port of entry and generally not allowed to enter China. The Chinese Government does not permit foreigners to visit some areas of China. Reconfirmation of departure reservations is essential. Travelers who have not reconfirmed have been stranded when outgoing flights are overbooked. For information about entry requirements and restricted areas, travelers may consult the Embassy of the People's Republic of China at 2300 Connecticut Avenue N.W., Washington. D.C. 20008, or call (202) 328-2500 through 2502. For more information regarding PRC visas, contact the Embassy��s visa section at (202) 328-2517 between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. There are also Chinese Consulates General in Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco.
MEDICAL FACILITIES: The quality of medical care in China varies. Competent,
trained doctors and nurses are available in major metropolitan centers, but many do not
speak English. Hospital accommodations are spartan, and medical technology is not
up-to-date. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services
and may not accept checks or credit cards. U.S. medical insurance is not always valid
outside the United States. The Medicare/Medicaid program does not provide payment for
medical services outside the United States.
MEDICAL INSURANCE: Serious medical problems requiring hospitalization and/or
medical evacuation to the United States can cost from 10,000 to 100,000 U.S. dollars.
Supplemental medical insurance with specific overseas coverage including provision for
medical evacuation is strongly recommended. It may be purchased in the United States prior
to travel. Check with your own insurance company to confirm whether your policy applies
overseas, and whether it includes a provision for medical evacuation. Ascertain whether
payment will be made to the overseas hospital or doctor, or whether you will be reimbursed
later for expenses you incur. Some insurance policies also include coverage for
psychiatric treatment and for disposition of remains in the event of death.
The following two private emergency medical assistance firms have representative offices in Beijing: (Disclaimer: The Department of State provides this information as a service to U.S. citizens but cannot specifically recommend any medical assistance firm nor guarantee the quality of services of any private corporation.
Asia Emergency Assistance Ltd. (AEA International)
Building C, BITIC Leasing Center
No. 1 North Road, Xing Fu San Cun
Chaoyang District
Beijing 100600
Tel: (86-10) 6462-9112, 6462-9100 (24 hours)
Fax (86-10)6462-9111
From U.S.: 1-800-468-5232
24-hr number from U.S.(Seattle, Washington):
Tel: (206) 621-9911
Fax: (206) 340-6000
MEDEX Assistance Corporation
Regus Office 19, Beijing Lufthansa Center
No. 50 Liangmaqiao Road, Chaoyang District
Beijing 100016
Tel: (86-10) 6465-1264
Fax: (86-10) 6465-1240
Email: [email protected] (Baltimore, Maryland)
Tel: (410) 453-6300 (24 hours)
AEA has an internationally staffed clinic in Beijing.
ADDITIONAL MEDICAL INFORMATION: The Department of State brochure Tips for Travelers to the People's Republic of China contains additional information concerning medical care in China. This brochure is available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402. Useful information on medical emergencies abroad is provided in the Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs brochure, Medical Information for Americans Traveling Abroad, available via our home page and autofax service.
For additional health information, travelers may call the toll-free numbers of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention International Travelers?Hotline 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747), may use the CDC autofax service at 1-888-CDC-FAXX (1-888-232-3299), or may access the CDC home page on the Internet: http://www.cdc.gov/.
INFORMATION ON CRIME: China has a low crime rate; however, crime has increased in the past few years, principally in the major cities. Heated arguments in China sometimes attract large crowds of onlookers who, on occasion, have become abusive. Theft is the most common crime affecting visitors and occurs most frequently in crowded public areas, such as hotel lobbies, bars, restaurants, and tourist and transportation sites. The loss or theft of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to the local police and to the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. In order to obtain new Chinese visas, travelers must first get a police report regarding the theft. Due to Chinese procedures, it usually requires at least two working days to obtain a new passport and Chinese exit visa. Chinese authorities require that travelers have valid visas to exit China, and even to travel and register in hotels within China. Useful information on safeguarding valuables and protecting personal security while traveling abroad is provided in the Department of State pamphlet, A Safe Trip Abroad. This is available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402 or via the Internet at http://www.access.gpo.gov.
SECURITY CONCERNS: A small number of bombings and incidents of unrest have occurred in recent years, mostly in parts of China inhabited by ethnic minorities. Terrorism has not been a widespread problem in China, however, and there have been no known incidents of terrorism or political violence directed against American citizens.
CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While in a foreign country, a U.S. citizen is subject to that country��s laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly from those in the United States and do not afford the protections available to the individual under U.S. law. Long delays in the judicial process are common, sometimes lasting for years. There is no bail in China, and foreigners are normally detained while their cases are being investigated. Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than in the United States for similar offenses. Persons violating the law, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested or imprisoned. Criminal penalties for possession, use, or trafficking of illegal drugs are strict, and convicted offenders can expect severe jail sentences and fines. Foreign passport holders have been executed for drug offenses, and one U.S. citizen, convicted on drug-related charges in Shanghai, received a 15-year prison sentence. In 1998, another U.S. citizen was sentenced to death, with a two-year reprieve, on a conviction of drug dealing.
CUSTOMS INFORMATION: Information concerning regulations and procedures governing items that may be brought into China is available through the Chinese Embassy and Consulates in the United States. Students may bring into China only a limited number of items which are considered necessary for study and daily life. Some U.S. citizens residing in China have been required to pay customs duty on certain high-value items when departing China because procedures were not followed when the items were originally brought into China. Additional information concerning Chinese Customs regulations is contained in the Department of State brochure, Tips for Travelers to the People's Republic of China, which is available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20420.
Customs officials encourage the use of an ATA (Admission Temporaire/Temporary Admission) Carnet for the temporary admission of professional equipment, commercial samples, and/or goods for exhibitions and fair purposes. ATA Carnet Headquarters, located at the U.S. Council for International Business, 1212 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10036, issues and guarantees the ATA Carnet in the United States. For additional information call (212) 354-4480, send an e-mail to [email protected] or visit http://www.usembassy-china.org.cn/english/us-citizen/index.html for details.
PASSPORT CONFISCATION: PRC authorities commonly confiscate passports and levy exit bans against persons involved in commercial or other disputes. The U.S. Embassy or Consulate General will make inquiries with local authorities to attempt to ensure that the U.S. citizen��s rights under the U.S.-China Bilateral Consular Convention are honored. The individual usually is not placed under arrest, but is sometimes detained in a hotel or other facility until the dispute is resolved. The U.S. Embassy or Consulate General will issue another passport to any U.S. citizen who applies for one under these circumstances; however, even with a new U.S. passport Chinese authorities will often block departure by refusing to provide a visa for exit purposes.
CONSULAR ACCESS: U.S. citizens are encouraged to carry their U.S. passports or photocopies of passport data and photo pages and PRC visas with them at all times, so that proof of U.S. citizenship is readily available if they are questioned by PRC officials.
The U.S.-PRC Consular Convention of 1980 provides that detained U.S. citizens have the right to contact a U.S. consular officer, that U.S. consular officers shall be notified of the arrest or detention of a U.S. citizen within four days, and that a consular officer may visit the citizen within two days of making a formal request. Note, however, that U.S. consular officers do not always receive timely notification of the arrest of a U.S. citizen. U.S. citizens who are arrested or detained should request contact with the U.S. Embassy or one of the U.S. Consulates General. As explained below, China does not recognize dual nationality. Dual nationals who enter China on Chinese passports will almost certainly be denied access to U.S. consular officials.
DUAL NATIONALITY: China does not recognize dual nationality. Some U.S. citizens who are also Chinese nationals have experienced difficulty entering and departing China on U.S. passports, and some U.S. passports have been seized by Chinese authorities. Dual nationals may be subject to Chinese laws which impose special obligations. In some cases, such dual nationals are required to use Chinese documentation to enter China, in which case U.S. consular access and protection will be denied. (Conversely, the United States requires that all U.S. citizens enter and depart the United States on U.S. passports.) Dual nationals who enter and depart China using a U.S. passport and a valid PRC visa retain the right of U.S. consular access and protection under the U.S.-PRC Consular Convention. The ability of the U.S. Embassy or Consulates General to provide normal consular services would be extremely limited should a dual national enter China on a Chinese or other non-U.S. passport.
China does not recognize the U.S. citizenship of children born in China if one of the parents is a PRC national. Such children are required to enter and depart China on PRC travel documents. China also does not recognize the U.S. citizenship of children born in the United States to PRC national parents who are neither lawful permanent residents nor U.S. citizens. Although Chinese consulates have frequently issued visas to such individuals in error, they are treated solely as PRC nationals by Chinese authorities when in China. Specific questions on dual nationality may be directed to the Office of Overseas Citizens Services, Department of State, Room 4811A, Washington. D.C. 20520 or to the U.S. Embassy or one of the U.S. Consulates General in China.
TRAVEL TO TIBET: It is possible to make travel arrangements to Tibet from outside of China. Once in China, travelers wishing to visit Tibet must join a group, which can be arranged by almost any Chinese travel agency. The travel agency will arrange for the necessary permits and collect any fees. The Chinese Government requires foreigners (including U.S. citizens) wishing to visit Tibet to apply in advance for approval from the Tourist Administration of the Tibetan Autonomous Region. More information is available from the Chinese Embassy or one of the Chinese consulates in the United States, or, while in China, from the U.S. Embassy or nearest U.S. Consulate General. (See ENTRY REQUIREMENTS, above.) There have been some reports of robberies and assaults along remote highways near China's border with Nepal and in areas near Mt. Everest. See safety information contained in the section "INFORMATION ON CRIME".
AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: After extensive joint reviews with the General Administration of Civil Aviation of China (CAAC), the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has concluded under its International Aviation Assessment (IASA) Program that the CAAC oversees and licenses China��s air carriers in accordance with international safety oversight provisions.
For further information, travelers may contact the Department of Transportation within the U.S. at 1-800-322-7873, or visit the FAA Internet home page at http://www.faa.gov/avr/iasa/index.htm. The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) separately assesses some foreign air carriers for suitability as official providers of air services. For information regarding the DOD policy on specific carriers, travelers may contact DOD at 618-256-4801.
TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: In large cities in China most roads are well-paved, traffic lights function, and drivers generally comply with basic traffic laws. However, the growing number of vehicles, many of which are driven by relatively inexperienced drivers, as well as the large numbers of pedestrians and cyclists, lead to congestion and additional risks. In any accident involving an automobile and a pedestrian or cyclist, the driver of the automobile is legally presumed to be at fault. Foreigners often complain that they are automatically considered at fault in any accident, simply because they are foreign. Drivers on inland and rural roads are less likely to comply with basic traffic safety procedures. Additionally, livestock are a common obstacle on roads outside the larger coastal cities.
DOCUMENT SEIZURES: Chinese authorities have seized documents, literature, and letters which they deem to be pornographic, political in nature, or intended for religious proselytism. Persons seeking to enter China with religious materials in a quantity deemed to be greater than that needed for personal use may be detained and fined. Magazines with photographs, including some advertisements, considered commonplace in Western countries may be regarded as sexually explicit pornography. Books, films, records, tapes, and compact disks may be seized by Chinese Customs to determine that they do not violate Chinese prohibitions. Individuals believed to be engaged in religious proselytism or in conduct Chinese officials consider immoral or inappropriate have been detained and expelled.
CHILDREN��S ISSUES: For information on international adoption of children, international parental child abduction, and international child support enforcement issues, please refer to our Internet site at http://travel.state.gov/children��s_issues.html or telephone (202) 736-7000.
Adoption: After completing a lengthy pre-approval process, U.S. citizens wishing to adopt a child in China can expect to spend at least two weeks in China. U.S. immigrant visas for adopted children are issued at the U.S. Consulate General in Guangzhou.
Y2K INFORMATION: As a consequence of the so-called Y2K "bug", on or about January 1, 2000, some automated systems throughout the world may experience problems, including unpredictable system malfunctions. In countries that are not prepared, the Y2K problem could affect financial services, utilities, medicine, telecommunications, energy, transportation and other vital services. American citizens who are traveling to any country during this time period should be aware of the potential for the disruption of normal medical services. Travelers with special medical needs should consult with their personal physician and take appropriate precautions. While travelers do not necessarily need to alter their travel plans, being informed and prepared for possible disruptions is prudent.
Major coastal cities in the People's Republic of China are moderately reliant on computerized systems. Chinese Y2K remediation and contingency efforts have focused on critical infrastructure systems in these cities, which are generally well-prepared to deal with the Y2K problem. Reliance on computerized systems is much lower in the interior of China where Y2K will have a low impact.
Although China continues remediation efforts and contingency planning, at the present time it appears there may be a risk of potential disruption in the key sectors of banking and finance, telecommunications, medical services, and in electrical power and infrastructure systems outside of the coastal cities. Chinese authorities expect that any potential disruptions will be concentrated in small- and medium-sized enterprises, and that there is a moderate risk of potential disruption in freight-forwarding and distribution networks.
U.S. citizens traveling to or residing in the People��s Republic of China in late 1999 or early 2000 should be aware of potential difficulties, especially those which may arise in cold and remote areas of China if supplies of food, water, or energy (heat supplies) are disrupted.
It is difficult to predict the severity or duration of Y2K-related disruptions. U.S. citizens in the People's Republic of China should take practical precautions, anticipate the potential for disruption to their daily activities, and be prepared to cope with the impact of such disruptions. Information about personal preparedness and Y2K is available in the Department of State worldwide Public Announcement of July 26, 1999, which is accessible on the Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs home page at http://travel.state.gov/y2kca.html.
Aviation and Y2K: The U.S. Department of Transportation is heading an international year 2000 civil aviation evaluation process to review information on Y2K readiness in aviation based on reports to the international civil aviation organization and other available sources. The Federal Aviation Administration is working with the industry and its international partners to encourage sharing of Y2K readiness and contingency planning information so that air carriers will be able to make appropriate decisions. Consult your airline about contingency plans in the event of unforeseen Y2K-related delays, cancellations, or disruptions. See the Department of Transportation Y2K home page at http://www.dot.gov/fly2k for updated information on Y2K and aviation issues.
As January 1, 2000 draws nearer we will provide updated information available to us about important Y2K issues in the People's Republic of China on the Consular Affairs home page at http://travel.state.gov/y2kca.html. In addition, monitor the home page of the U.S. Embassy in Beijing at http://www.usembassy-china.org.cn for additional updates.
REGISTRATION/EMBASSY AND CONSULATE LOCATIONS: U.S. citizens living in or visiting China are encouraged to register at the U.S. Embassy or at one of the U.S. Consulates General in China. They may also obtain updated information on travel and security within the country at the Embassy or Consulates General. It is also possible to register from the United States via the Internet through the U.S. Embassy��s home page. (See next paragraph.)
The U.S. Embassy Consular Section in China is located at 2 Xiu Shui Dong Jie, Beijing - 100600, telephone: (86-10) 6532-3431, 6532-3831, and after-hours: (86-10) 6532-1910; fax (86-10) 6532-4153, 6532-3178. The U.S. Embassy Internet address is: http://www.usembassy-china.org.cn U.S. Embassy in Beijing .
The U.S. Consulate General in Chengdu is located at Number 4, Lingshiguan Road, Section 4, Renmin Nanlu, Chengdu 610041, telephone: (86-28) 558-3992, 555-3119; fax (86-28) 558-3520.
The U.S. Consulate General in Guangzhou is located at Number 1 South Shamian Street, Shamian Island 200S1, Guangzhou 510133; telephone: (86-20) 8188-8911 ext. 255 or (86-20) 8186-2418; after-hours: (86-20) 9070-4511; fax: (86-20) 8186-2341.
The U.S. Consulate General in Shanghai is located at 1469 Huaihai Zhong Lu, telephone: (86-21) 6433-6880, after-hours: (86-21) 6433-3936; fax: (86-21) 6433-4122, 6471-1148.
The U.S. Consulate General in Shenyang is located at No. 52, 14th Wei Road, Heping District, Shenyang 110003, telephone: (86-24) 2322-1198, 2322-0368; after-hours: (86-24) 9085-0801; fax (86-24) 2322-2374.
This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated November 24, 1998, to include country-specific Y2K information, and information on Children Issues.