Would you send your child on a summer trip to China?

[Anonymous]

Given everything happening now.

It sounds like an amazing opportunity, but I am concerned.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Given everything happening now.

It sounds like an amazing opportunity, but I am concerned.

It really depends on how motivated your kid is in learning about Chinese language and culture. At present, Chinese citizens are not the most welcoming towards Americans and that will hurt the experience. That doesn't mean it won't be safe. In the big cities, it is totally safe.

If you have no connections to China, it would probably be fine. If you are connected to China, is a government employee, or work in any sensitivity field, that may require extra thought as China has been using exit bans with more frequency.

[Anonymous]

Hell no.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hell no.

+1. It is not a nation of laws. It is still a Communist country. The judges have to follow party instructions and are not independent. One could get lucky, but the downside risks include indefinite jail and or death. Go read the detailed version of what US State Dept says about travel to China and realize they are phrasing everything in "diplomatic" language.

Singapore or Taiwan would let someone experience Asian culture without so much risk.

[Anonymous]

Hell no part 2. Cannot imagine anyone even considering the his.

[Anonymous]

No

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Given everything happening now.

It sounds like an amazing opportunity, but I am concerned.

It really depends on how motivated your kid is in learning about Chinese language and culture. At present, Chinese citizens are not the most welcoming towards Americans and that will hurt the experience. That doesn't mean it won't be safe. In the big cities, it is totally safe.

If you have no connections to China, it would probably be fine. If you are connected to China, is a government employee, or work in any sensitivity field, that may require extra thought as China has been using exit bans with more frequency.

Please tell us what “exit bans” is a euphemism for.

[Anonymous]

No

Not the same as five years ago.

Not a friendly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Given everything happening now.

It sounds like an amazing opportunity, but I am concerned.

It really depends on how motivated your kid is in learning about Chinese language and culture. At present, Chinese citizens are not the most welcoming towards Americans and that will hurt the experience. That doesn't mean it won't be safe. In the big cities, it is totally safe.

If you have no connections to China, it would probably be fine. If you are connected to China, is a government employee, or work in any sensitivity field, that may require extra thought as China has been using exit bans with more frequency.

It’s not about walking down the street safe.

It’s about having zero rights. They can take your phone, laptop, camera, etc at the airport, wipe them out or never return them. They can not let you in or out of the country for anything they care to accuse you of. Then you are a diplomacy pawn.

I also doubt they are even issuing cultural visas. Are you claiming this is a tourist visa trip with sfs chinese program or wherever you are from? So many non wdc posters nowadays.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Given everything happening now.

It sounds like an amazing opportunity, but I am concerned.

It really depends on how motivated your kid is in learning about Chinese language and culture. At present, Chinese citizens are not the most welcoming towards Americans and that will hurt the experience. That doesn't mean it won't be safe. In the big cities, it is totally safe.

If you have no connections to China, it would probably be fine. If you are connected to China, is a government employee, or work in any sensitivity field, that may require extra thought as China has been using exit bans with more frequency.

It’s not about walking down the street safe.

It’s about having zero rights. They can take your phone, laptop, camera, etc at the airport, wipe them out or never return them. They can not let you in or out of the country for anything they care to accuse you of. Then you are a diplomacy pawn.

I also doubt they are even issuing cultural visas. Are you claiming this is a tourist visa trip with sfs chinese program or wherever you are from? So many non wdc posters nowadays.

This. Up until a couple years ago, my uncle periodically traveled to China for business. He kept a separate phone and laptop entirely for use on those trips, because they were completely searched and compromised every time. Any electronics your child brought on such a trip should either be factory wiped or outright replaced, if you get them back. There is also a non-zero possibility of your child being detained.

I would personally not risk it.

[Anonymous]

For the reasons the PPs said plus I don’t like how these unpleasant regimes use these programs to try to make themselves look better. It’s letting your child be used as PR for a dictator. Yuck.
But I also used to shame people on DCUM for going to Russia in the pre-pandemic years, and that was not a popular position.

[Anonymous]

Not for a second.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Given everything happening now.

It sounds like an amazing opportunity, but I am concerned.

What could possibly go wrong...?

[Anonymous]

Absolutely not. Both places I've worked we are not allowed to bring any devices to China, we need special phones and laptops just for that trip. Think about that.

[Anonymous]

NO