Newsgroups: wstd.travel.advisories
From: 76702.1202@CompuServe.COM (Wally Doerge)
Subject: NEW TRAVEL INFO -- China
Organization: The World @ Software Tool & Die
Distribution: wstd
Date: Wed, 14 Jul 1993 17:01:02 GMT
STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - China
============================================================
China - Consular Information Sheet
 July 9, 1993

Country Description:  The People's Republic of China has a stable 
communist government.  It has a developing economy, some sectors of 
which are industrialized.  Modern tourist facilities are not widely 
available except in major cities.

Entry Requirements:  Passports and visas are required.  Most 
tourist visas are valid for only one entry.  Travelers require a new 
visa for additional entries into China.  Those who arrive without a 
visa will be fined a minimum of $400 at the port of entry and might 
not be allowed to enter China.  A transit visa is required for any 
stop (even if one does not exit the plane or train) in China.  
Specific information is available through the Embassy of the 
People's Republic of China at 2300 Connecticut Avenue N.W., 
Washington, D.C. 20008, tel. (202) 328-2500, or from one of the 
consulates general in Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, or 
San Francisco.

Medical Facilities:  The quality of medical care in China is 
uneven.  Competent, trained doctors and nurses are available in 
major metropolitan centers.  However, hospital accommodations are 
spartan and medical technology is not up-to-date.  Doctors and 
hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services.  
U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the United 
States.  Supplemental medical insurance with specific overseas 
coverage including provision for medical evacuation is essential for 
any U.S. citizen traveling or residing in China.  The Department of 
State's 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.  
Questions on health matters can also be addressed to the Centers for 
Disease Control through its international travelers hotline at (404) 
332-4559.

Information on Crime:  China has a low crime rate; however, crime 
has increased in the past few years, principally in the major 
cities.  Americans and other foreigners have seldom been victims of 
violent crime.  Theft is the most common crime affecting visitors 
and occurs most frequently in crowded public areas, such as hotel 
lobbies, bars, restaurants, and public transportation sites.  The 
loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported 
immediately to the local police, and the nearest U.S. embassy or 
consulate.  Police reports are necessary in China in order that 
travelers may obtain new visas from Chinese authorities.  Chinese 
authorities require that travelers have valid visas to exit China, 
or even to travel and register in hotels within China.  Useful 
information on guarding valuables and protecting personal security 
while traveling abroad is provided in the Department of State 
pamphlet, "A Safe Trip Abroad."  It is available from the 
Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, 
Washington, D.C. 20402.

Adoption:   After completing lengthy preadoption procedures in the 
United States, foreigners wishing to adopt a child in China can 
expect to spend at least four weeks in China.  Current adoption 
information can be obtained by calling the U.S. Department of State 
(202) 647-3444, or writing to the Office of Citizens Consular 
Services, Room 4800, Department of State, Washington, D.C. 20520.

Drug Penalties:  Travelers are subject to the laws and legal 
practices of the country in which they travel.  Criminal penalties 
for possession, use, or trafficking of illegal drugs are strict, and 
convicted offenders can expect severe jail sentences and fines.  
Hong Kong passport holders have been executed for drug offenses, and 
one U.S. citizen, convicted on drug-related charges in Shanghai, has 
received a fifteen year prison sentence.

Customs Information:  Information concerning regulations and 
procedures governing items that may be brought into China is 
available through the Chinese Embassy and consulates.  Students may 
bring into China only a limited number of items which are considered 
necessary for study and daily life.  Some Americans resident in 
China have been required to pay customs duty on certain large items 
each time they temporarily depart China, if required procedures were 
not followed when the items were originally brought into China.

Passport Confiscation:  The confiscation of foreign passports of 
persons involved in commercial disputes occurs in China.  Under such 
circumstances, the U.S. government will issue another passport to 
any American citizen who applies for one.  Even if a new U.S. 
passport is issued, the Chinese government may block departure.

Dual Nationality:  China does not recognize dual nationality.  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.  
China requires that such persons travel on Chinese documentation.  
The United States requires that all U.S. citizens enter and depart 
the U.S. on U.S. passports.  Under the U.S.- PRC Consular 
Convention, dual nationals who enter China using a U.S. passport and 
a valid PRC visa would generally be considered and treated as U.S. 
citizens throughout their stay in China.  Dual nationals who enter 
China on a Chinese passport will always be considered and treated as 
Chinese nationals, and the ability of the U.S. Embassy or Consulate 
to provide normal consular services would be extremely limited 
should the individual encounter difficulties with Chinese 
authorities.  Children who are born in the United States of Chinese 
national parents who are neither U.S. legal permanent residents or 
naturalized U.S. citizens are not recognized as U.S. citizens under 
Chinese nationality law.  Although Chinese visas may be issued to 
them in their U.S. passports in error, those children will be 
treated solely as Chinese nationals by Chinese authorities when in 
China.  All dual nationals are encouraged to contact the Office of 
Overseas Citizens Services at (202) 647-3675 or the U.S. Embassy in 
Beijing at (86-1) 532-3831 ext. 229 for additional information 
before traveling to China.

Consular Access:  Consular officers are not always notified when a 
U.S. citizen has been detained.  This is particularly true when the 
U.S. citizen is also a dual national, and is considered by the 
Chinese government to be a citizen of China.  U.S. citizens have 
rights to consular access under the U.S. - P.R.C. Consular 
Convention and should insist upon contact with the U.S. Embassy or 
one of the U.S. Consulates General.  Dual nationals who enter China 
on Chinese passports are not covered under the Consular Convention 
and would be treated as Chinese nationals.  Such individuals may 
well be denied access to U.S. consular officials.

Travel to Tibet:  The Chinese government requires 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 through the Chinese Embassy or a Consulate 
in the United States, or while in China, at the U.S. Embassy or 
nearest U.S. consulate general.

Document Seizures:  Chinese authorities have seized documents, 
literature, and letters which they deem to be religious, 
pornographic, or political in nature.  They have detained and 
expelled individuals believed to be engaged in proselytization or in 
conduct they consider immoral.

Registration:  Americans who register at the U.S. Embassy or a 
consulate general may obtain updated information on travel and 
security within the country.

Embassy and Consulate Locations:  The U.S. Embassy Consular Section 
in China is located at Xiu Shui Dong Jie 3, Beijing - 100600, 
telephone (86-1) 532-3831; fax (86-1) 532-2483.

There are Consulates General in:

Guangzhou at Number 1 South Shamian Street, Shamian Island 20031, 
Guangzhou, telephone (86-20) 888-8911 ext. 255, fax (86-20) 886-2341;

Shanghai, located at 1469 Huai Hai Middle Road, telephone (86-21) 
433-6880, fax (86-21) 483-4122;

Shenyang at No. 40 Lane 4, Section 5, Sanjing Street, Heping 
District, telephone (86-24) 220000; fax (86-24) 290-074; and in

Chengdu at the Jinjiang Hotel, 180 Renmin Road, telephone (86-28) 
582222, ext. 131, fax (86-28) 583-520.

 No. 93-171

This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated November 13, 
1992, and provides expanded information concerning entry 
requirements, consular access, drug penalties, dual nationality and 
adoption procedures.