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

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m sure the comments here are posted in good faith, albeit a bit ignorant. Yes it is completely safe for a non-government person to travel to China with no concerns at all. I have plenty of friends who are either American-citizen Chinese or married to Chinese spouses that have been to China the past year. No issues at all. There are also travel YouTubers all over China posting every day about their travels. Also can’t remember the last time I heard some random person not related to the American press (who probably reported at some point on China in a negative light) get detained in China. So no, it’s not a country with great freedom. But there’s also no safety concerns to 99.99% of travelers.

Is it safe for someone working for the federal government (e.g. SEC, FTC kind of agencies; not FBI, CIA, etc) travel to China?

If you are just normal staff, yes. Again, just be ready to not bring any electronics.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes definitely. What do you think is going to happen to your kid?

OP here. My concern is that they will find a reason not to let him return home. I’m not worried about street crime or problems with regular citizens. I’m concerned solely about the government using an American citizen as a political pawn.

As long as he's not involved in a foreign government or foreign press, the government won't care at all. Just be clear he shouldn't suddenly develop an urge to protest. Large public squares in cities are where the government really monitors things (because that's where people may protest) but they aren't going after random tourists. Your son is likely to get more attention from female admirers than the government.

No protests, but also nothing that could be construed as disrespectful, like taking a photo with hand gestures, or touching/damaging/removing property, etc. If your child understands the seriousness of actions that might just get a glare from a security guard in the US but might land them in prison in China and can be absolutely trusted not to goof off in ways that will get them in trouble for something they think shouldn’t be a big deal, you don’t need to be too concerned about being detained.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes definitely. What do you think is going to happen to your kid?

OP here. My concern is that they will find a reason not to let him return home. I’m not worried about street crime or problems with regular citizens. I’m concerned solely about the government using an American citizen as a political pawn.

As long as he's not involved in a foreign government or foreign press, the government won't care at all. Just be clear he shouldn't suddenly develop an urge to protest. Large public squares in cities are where the government really monitors things (because that's where people may protest) but they aren't going after random tourists. Your son is likely to get more attention from female admirers than the government.

No protests, but also nothing that could be construed as disrespectful, like taking a photo with hand gestures, or touching/damaging/removing property, etc. If your child understands the seriousness of actions that might just get a glare from a security guard in the US but might land them in prison in China and can be absolutely trusted not to goof off in ways that will get them in trouble for something they think shouldn’t be a big deal, you don’t need to be too concerned about being detained.

So don’t send your child with Winnie the Pooh t shirt.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Read up on how the Uyghurs are treated in China.

Do you really want to support the Chinese regime?

Where was your smartphone made?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No...there are so many better choices. Why risk going there

Yes, why visit home to the world's second largest economy, second largest population, and a country with thousands of years of history. Nothing to see there!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes definitely. What do you think is going to happen to your kid?

OP here. My concern is that they will find a reason not to let him return home. I’m not worried about street crime or problems with regular citizens. I’m concerned solely about the government using an American citizen as a political pawn.

Uh, China is not North Korea.

[Anonymous]

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/china-travel-advisory.html

[Anonymous]

I find it humorous and ironic that people are scared about a study abroad in China or or saying it’s ok just do t bring electronics when all these kids have TikTok and China is stealing data and manipulating messaging here at home

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes definitely. What do you think is going to happen to your kid?

OP here. My concern is that they will find a reason not to let him return home. I’m not worried about street crime or problems with regular citizens. I’m concerned solely about the government using an American citizen as a political pawn.

Yeah, I think you should stay out of China because your child is clearly a high value asset. Make sure he is bubble wrapped on a daily basis.
You might want to read up on how a Huawei executive was detained by the US. You think your son will be taken in retaliation for consuming some top secret hot pot?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Read up on how the Uyghurs are treated in China.

Do you really want to support the Chinese regime?

Read up on the East Turkmenistan terrorist attacks in Xinjiang.
There are lots of Uighurs all over China living lives as Chinese people do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes definitely. What do you think is going to happen to your kid?

OP here. My concern is that they will find a reason not to let him return home. I’m not worried about street crime or problems with regular citizens. I’m concerned solely about the government using an American citizen as a political pawn.

If this actually happened on any sort of regular basis it would be in the news

The xenophobia and idiocy on this board is truly disgusting

[Anonymous]

Your own government advises Americans not to go. Level 3 threat. Americans can be subjected to random arrests.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes definitely. What do you think is going to happen to your kid?

OP here. My concern is that they will find a reason not to let him return home. I’m not worried about street crime or problems with regular citizens. I’m concerned solely about the government using an American citizen as a political pawn.

If this actually happened on any sort of regular basis it would be in the news

The xenophobia and idiocy on this board is truly disgusting

It’s not xenophobia to be aware of real risks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Your own government advises Americans not to go. Level 3 threat. Americans can be subjected to random arrests.

+1. Why risk it? It’s one thing for you to decide to take the risk yourself, but absolutely irresponsible to allow your child to go.

[EVERGREEN]

International Education professional here.. we need a lot more information about the group size, supervision, health and safety plans in place, etc. I can help you if you want to pm me!