China warns its tourists of 'frequent shootings,'

• China has warned citizens traveling to the US of “frequent” shootings, expensive medical care, and the risks associated with running into border patrol agents. 
• The Chinese Embassy in Washington issued a notice warning travelers that “shootings, robberies, and theft are frequent,” and urged citizens to remain calm and hold onto evidence if they feel they are being discriminated against by border agents. 
• Last year the US saw a drop in foreign tourism, which at the time was dubbed the “Trump Slump.”

The Chinese Embassy in Washington issued a notice on Saturday telling its citizens to take caution when traveling to the US over summer.
“First, the United States medical expenses are expensive,” the notice said, encouraging its citizens to organize health cover in advance of travel.
The notice also warned that “US law and order is not good, and shootings, robberies, and theft are frequent.” Gun violence is a leading cause of death in the US.
“You should be on alert to suspicious people around you and avoid going out alone at night,” the notice also said.
China has issued warnings against the high rate of gun violence in the US in the past.

In 2017, the Chinese consulate in Los Angeles published a guide for citizens on how to respond to an active-shooter situation. And in April, the Chinese Foreign Ministry issued an advisory on popular messaging platform WeChat urging citizens to “be careful and prepare for the possibility that gun crimes may occur at workplaces, schools, at home and at tourist sites,” the New York Times reported.
The embassy notice issued on Saturday also discussed US border policy, and notified tourists that border patrol have the right to inspect travelers and to check their nationality and purpose of entry without a search warrant. But it also advised citizens to be vigilant.
“If the parties involved believe that the law enforcement officers have engaged in improper law enforcement or discriminatory practices, please keep the relevant evidence and ask to make a complaint to their superiors in person,” it said. “Sparking controversy with on-site law enforcement personnel is not helpful for resolving the obstruction of entry, and may even lead to a deterioration of the situation.”
The US has come under international scrutiny over the Trump administration’s tightened border security measures, including its “zero-tolerance” policy, which has seen more than 2,300 migrant families separated.  Several videos have also surfaced this year showing border agents patrolling bus stations and asking travelers for identification.
Last year, the US saw a drop in foreign tourism, which some dubbed the “Trump Slump.” According to Travel + Leisure, the US welcomed 72.9 million foreign visitors in 2017, down from the previous year’s 75.9 million, though the decline was only about 4%.
Under the Obama administration, the US saw record high numbers in 2015 with 77.5 million foreign visitors, Travel + Leisure added.
In 2016, nearly 3 million Chinese tourists visited the US and spent $33 billion, more than tourists from any other country.
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