8 ms·

I’m very curious if exit bans are typically targeted towards Chinese nationals, dual-nationals, or foreigners.

goodbyesf 3y ago
Spies or people tied to spies. When canada arrested or kidnapped the chinese huawei executive a few years ago on US orders, the chinese government held canadian spies in return. Tit for tat. Of course we whine about it endlessly and push propagnada to make the chinese look like the bad guys.
- richbell 3y ago
  > the chinese government held canadian spies in return So they claimed; I don't think this was ever substantiated.
  - seanmcdirmid 3y ago
    It is really easy to break national security laws in China. Just taking a picture at the front of zhongnanhai in Beijing is technically a violation, or a million other places you would never guess were military installations. It isn't like San Diego where even Chinese tourists can take pictures of American military ships in port. (note: the national security laws are considered state secrets under the same national security laws, so even publishing these laws is a violation, so you know...) But these laws are rarely enforced, except when they need someone for an example.
- defrost 3y ago
  Spy accusations are common but rarely have merit. When Australian politicians said some firm things about China there was a spate of Australian reporters of Chinese origin being detained, this spread to Australian reporters in general. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-08-31/australian-detained-in-china-television-anchor-cheng-lei/12615362 https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-08-31/australian-detained-i... https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-09-08/bill-birtles-mike-smith-evacuated-china-safety-concerns/12638786 https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-09-08/bill-birtles-mike-smi...
- waithuh 3y ago
  everyone is a bad guy.
seanmcdirmid 3y ago
It depends on the context. First, there has to be some conflict going on, they might want to do some tit for tat. so if for example China has some problem with Canadians considering extradition of Huaweiwei's daughter, they will definitely single out some Canadian business people of European descent (not very common in China) rather than Canadians of Chinese descent (much more common in China). There is always enough to get you for something if they really want to, like taking pictures of a mountain and surprise...it is really a PLA military installation (but not really, it could just be a place where they have a hotel or something). Remember China is a rule by law country, not a rule of law one, so you can't really count on being treated fairly unless they want to treat you fairly. Given the recent problems, right now probably isn't the best time for Americans (especially Americans of non-Chinese descent), but it probably isn't that bad either (no obvious singular dispute that necessitates tit for tat reaction). I guess I would go right now if I could get my kid's visa situation worked out (so he can go see grandma). You are also just as likely not to be arrested for being a foreigner when Chinese are processed for similar violations. For example, hitting a roadblock that is targeting college kids who have smoked marijuana, they will drug test all the Chinese kids on the bus and will ignore the foreigners as too much trouble.

Spies or people tied to spies. When canada arrested or kidnapped the chinese huawei executive a few years ago on US orders, the chinese government held canadian spies in return. Tit for tat. Of course we whine about it endlessly and push propagnada to make the chinese look like the bad guys.

richbell 3y ago
> the chinese government held canadian spies in return So they claimed; I don't think this was ever substantiated.
- seanmcdirmid 3y ago
  It is really easy to break national security laws in China. Just taking a picture at the front of zhongnanhai in Beijing is technically a violation, or a million other places you would never guess were military installations. It isn't like San Diego where even Chinese tourists can take pictures of American military ships in port. (note: the national security laws are considered state secrets under the same national security laws, so even publishing these laws is a violation, so you know...) But these laws are rarely enforced, except when they need someone for an example.
defrost 3y ago
Spy accusations are common but rarely have merit. When Australian politicians said some firm things about China there was a spate of Australian reporters of Chinese origin being detained, this spread to Australian reporters in general. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-08-31/australian-detained-in-china-television-anchor-cheng-lei/12615362 https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-08-31/australian-detained-i... https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-09-08/bill-birtles-mike-smith-evacuated-china-safety-concerns/12638786 https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-09-08/bill-birtles-mike-smi...
waithuh 3y ago
everyone is a bad guy.

seanmcdirmid 3y ago

It depends on the context. First, there has to be some conflict going on, they might want to do some tit for tat. so if for example China has some problem with Canadians considering extradition of Huaweiwei's daughter, they will definitely single out some Canadian business people of European descent (not very common in China) rather than Canadians of Chinese descent (much more common in China). There is always enough to get you for something if they really want to, like taking pictures of a mountain and surprise...it is really a PLA military installation (but not really, it could just be a place where they have a hotel or something). Remember China is a rule by law country, not a rule of law one, so you can't really count on being treated fairly unless they want to treat you fairly. Given the recent problems, right now probably isn't the best time for Americans (especially Americans of non-Chinese descent), but it probably isn't that bad either (no obvious singular dispute that necessitates tit for tat reaction). I guess I would go right now if I could get my kid's visa situation worked out (so he can go see grandma). You are also just as likely not to be arrested for being a foreigner when Chinese are processed for similar violations. For example, hitting a roadblock that is targeting college kids who have smoked marijuana, they will drug test all the Chinese kids on the bus and will ignore the foreigners as too much trouble.