20 Chinese Scholars Denied Entry in Seattle; China Urges Enhanced Security Awareness
China's Foreign Ministry reported that around 20 Chinese scholars were interrogated and denied entry at Seattle's airport despite holding valid visas, prompting warnings for citizens to avoid the airport.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 16, 2026 at 17:53
- 🔍 Collected: April 16, 2026 at 18:02 (8 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 18, 2026 at 20:52 (50h 50m after Collected)
Central News Agency
(CNA Reporter Lu Chia-jung, Beijing, 16th) China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated today that recently, approximately 20 Chinese scholars with valid visas traveled to the United States to attend academic conferences, but were interrogated and denied entry by US Customs and Border Protection officers at the Seattle airport. The ministry reminded Chinese personnel traveling to the US to "enhance security precautions" and avoid entering through that same airport.
Amidst the intractable competitive relationship between the US and China, the Chinese Foreign Ministry's "Consular Affairs" WeChat public account claimed today that about 20 Chinese scholars recently traveled to the US with valid and legal visas to attend an academic conference. At the Seattle airport, they were subjected to "unreasonable interrogation" by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers and denied entry.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry claimed that due to "successive incidents of 'malicious interrogation and harassment' against Chinese scholars" at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, the Ministry and the Chinese Embassy and Consulates in the US remind those planning to travel to the US in the near future to "enhance security precautions" and avoid entering through this airport. At the same time, they should familiarize themselves with US entry regulations in advance and make all necessary preparations.
Finally, the Chinese Foreign Ministry stated that if encountering interrogation by US law enforcement officers, one should "respond calmly and rationally." (Editor: Chiu Kuo-chiang) 1150416
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(CNA Reporter Lu Chia-jung, Beijing, 16th) China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated today that recently, approximately 20 Chinese scholars with valid visas traveled to the United States to attend academic conferences, but were interrogated and denied entry by US Customs and Border Protection officers at the Seattle airport. The ministry reminded Chinese personnel traveling to the US to "enhance security precautions" and avoid entering through that same airport.
Amidst the intractable competitive relationship between the US and China, the Chinese Foreign Ministry's "Consular Affairs" WeChat public account claimed today that about 20 Chinese scholars recently traveled to the US with valid and legal visas to attend an academic conference. At the Seattle airport, they were subjected to "unreasonable interrogation" by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers and denied entry.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry claimed that due to "successive incidents of 'malicious interrogation and harassment' against Chinese scholars" at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, the Ministry and the Chinese Embassy and Consulates in the US remind those planning to travel to the US in the near future to "enhance security precautions" and avoid entering through this airport. At the same time, they should familiarize themselves with US entry regulations in advance and make all necessary preparations.
Finally, the Chinese Foreign Ministry stated that if encountering interrogation by US law enforcement officers, one should "respond calmly and rationally." (Editor: Chiu Kuo-chiang) 1150416
Choose to stand with facts; every sponsorship you make is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the CNA "First-hand News" APP to grasp the latest news instantly.
The text, images, and audio-visuals on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and utilized without authorization.