China warns it may detain people from US in retaliation for prosecution of military-a

[Boats]

China warns it may detain people from US in retaliation for prosecution of military-affiliated scholars: Report
By: Haley Victory Smith, Breaking News Reporter - Washington Examiner -10-17-20
Re: https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/n...cholars-report

Chinese officials are allegedly warning that the country might detain people from the United States.

Leaders from the nation reportedly threatened this action in response to the prosecution of multiple Chinese military-affiliated scholars in the U.S., the Wall Street Journal reported Saturday, citing people familiar with the matter.

The apparent warnings have come repeatedly and through multiple different channels.

Over the summer, the Justice Department began charging Chinese scientists for failing to disclose to customs authorities their active-duty status with the People's Liberation Army. At least some were reportedly still coordinating their activities with Chinese diplomats.

While a spokesman for the State Department declined to address the supposed threats directly, he did tell the Wall Street Journal that "we warn U.S. citizens that business disputes, court orders to pay a settlement, or government investigations into both criminal and civil issues may result in an exit ban which will prohibit your departure from China until the issue is resolved."

In September, the department issued a travel advisory for China, recommending people to avoid going there for multiple reasons, including the fact that the country was known to detain citizens of other nations "to gain bargaining leverage over foreign governments."

John Demers, the head of the department's national security division, said, "We are aware that the Chinese government has, in other instances, detained American, Canadian, and other individuals without legal basis to retaliate against lawful prosecutions and to exert pressure on their governments, with a callous disregard of the individuals involved."