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A somber scene of a Chinese scholar waiting alone in a dimly lit airport terminal, reflecting the growing tensions and unease surrounding the treatment of Chinese citizens at U.S. borders.Seattle TodayChina’s foreign ministry has issued a notice warning Chinese citizens of security risks when traveling to the U.S., advising them not to enter the country through the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The ministry cited recent incidents of ‘unreasonable questioning’ and ‘malicious questioning and harassment’ targeting Chinese scholars at the Seattle airport, even though they held valid U.S. visas.
Why it matters
The advisory highlights growing tensions between China and the U.S. over the treatment of Chinese citizens, particularly scholars and students, at U.S. borders and airports. It comes amid broader concerns about the safety and wellbeing of Chinese nationals in the U.S. following the recent death of a Chinese researcher at the University of Michigan.
The details
According to the Chinese foreign ministry, about 20 Chinese scholars traveling to the U.S. for an academic conference were recently subjected to ‘unreasonable questioning’ by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Seattle airport and were denied entry, despite holding valid U.S. visas. The ministry advised Chinese nationals planning trips to the U.S. to ‘strengthen safety awareness, avoid entering through this airport … and make all necessary preparations.’ It also urged Chinese citizens, if questioned by U.S. law enforcement, to ‘respond calmly and rationally’.
- The Chinese foreign ministry issued the safety alert on April 16, 2026.
The players
Chinese Foreign Ministry
The government agency responsible for China’s foreign affairs and relations with other countries.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
The federal law enforcement agency under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that is responsible for border control, customs, and immigration.
Wang Danhao
A Chinese assistant research scientist who died at the University of Michigan, with the incident being investigated as a ‘possible act of self-harm’.
What they’re saying
“The Chinese side has repeatedly lodged solemn representations with relevant U.S. government agencies and universities regarding this case.”
— Liu Pengyu, Spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in the U.S.
“The U.S. must cease ‘discriminatory law enforcement action’ that leads to Chinese students and scholars facing ‘unwarranted questioning’ and ‘harassment’.”
— Chinese Foreign Ministry
What’s next
The Chinese government has urged U.S. authorities to investigate the death of Chinese researcher Wang Danhao at the University of Michigan, and has called on the U.S. to address the concerns about the treatment of Chinese citizens at U.S. borders and airports.
The takeaway
The Chinese government’s safety alert highlights the growing tensions between China and the U.S. over the treatment of Chinese citizens, particularly scholars and students, at U.S. borders and airports. It also comes amid broader concerns about the safety and wellbeing of Chinese nationals in the U.S. following the recent death of a Chinese researcher at the University of Michigan.
