From: 76702.1202@CompuServe.COM (Charlie Smith)
Newsgroups: rec.travel
Subject: *NEW* TRAVEL INFORMATION -- China
Date: 16 Nov 1992 16:05:01 -0600
Organization: UTexas Mail-to-News Gateway
NNTP-Posting-Host: cs.utexas.edu

STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - China
============================================================
China - Consular Information Sheet
 November 13, 1992

Embassy and Consulate Locations:  The U.S. Embassy in China is 
located at Xiu Shui Bei Jie 3, Beijing - telephone (86) (1) 
532-3831.  There are U.S. Consulates General at Number 1 South 
Shamian Street, Shamian Island 20031, Guangzhou - telephone (86) 
(20) 669900 Ext. 1000; in Shanghai, located at 1469 Huai Hai Middle 
Road - telephone (86) (21) 433-6880; in Shenyang at #40 Lane 4, 
Section 5, Sanjing Street, Heiping District - telephone (86) (24) 
220000; in Chengdu at the Jinjiang Hotel, 180 Renmin Road - 
telephone (86) (28) 582222, Ext. 131.

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.  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 Peoples 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 has proved to be 
useful.  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.  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:  Foreigners wishing to adopt a child in China can expect 
to spend at least four weeks in China.  Some have spent six to ten 
weeks or longer to complete the adoption process.  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:  Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking of 
illegal drugs are strict, and convicted offenders can expect jail 
sentences and fines.

Customs Information:  Information concerning regulations and 
procedures governing items which 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.  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.  Chinese authorities have seized the U.S. 
passports of dual nationals.  Dual nationals are advised to register 
as U.S. citizens at the U.S. Embassy or one of the U.S. Consulates 
in China.  In cases where dual nationals encounter difficulty in a 
foreign country of which they are citizens, the ability of U.S. 
Foreign Service posts to provide assistance may be quite limited.

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 to be a 
citizen of China.  

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 
conduct they consider immoral.

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

 No. 92-095

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