Australians ‘at risk of arbitrary detention’ in China, government warns
- New advice is likely to further unsettle relations already strained by trade disputes, allegations of espionage and the national security law for Hong Kong
- Australian government advice for China and Hong Kong remains ‘do not travel’, in accordance with the blanket ban in response to coronavirus pandemic
“Authorities have detained foreigners because they’re ‘endangering national security’,” the updated advice for China on government website Smartraveller said. “Australians may also be at risk of arbitrary detention.”
Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said on Tuesday he was not aware of the updated advice, adding that China upheld the rights of foreigners in the country and law-abiding residents had nothing to worry about.
Darren Lim, a lecturer in international relations at Australian National University (ANU), said the updated advice indicates serious concern within diplomatic circles for the safety of Australians in China.
“It’s a big deal insofar as the government is telling Australians there is a real safety issue, the phrase ‘arbitrary detention’ is not something you use lightly,” Lim said. “It will certainly attract Beijing’s ire, though PRC has issued its own travel warning recently so they cannot really complain.”