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Chinese embassy issues travel advisory

Dr. Zhou Pingjian, Chinese Ambassador to Kenya

By City Correspondent | Thursday, October 26, 2023

The Chinese embassy in Kenya has broken from its customary practice by releasing a travel advisory for its citizens, cautioning against travel to specific regions within the country due to escalating security threats.

The Chinese embassy in Kenya has broken from its customary practice by releasing a travel advisory for its citizens, cautioning against travel to specific regions within the country due to escalating security threats. The embassy's statement, issued on Wednesday, highlighted a list of areas, including Mandera, Wajir, Lamu, Garissa, and other Kenyan border towns, where Chinese citizens were advised to exercise vigilance and refrain from visiting.

The advisory emphasized the unpredictable security situation within Kenya, citing global events' impacts and urging Chinese nationals to remain cautious, particularly in locations where foreign tourists tend to gather and crowded public places. The statement underscored the significance of prioritizing personal safety measures and avoidance of high-risk zones.

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The rarity of such alerts from the Chinese government stands in contrast to the frequent travel advisories often issued by Western countries. Notably, this year alone, the United States has released multiple security alerts, significantly affecting tourist movements as foreign visitors tend to avoid regions perceived as unsafe.

Chinese travelers were encouraged to maintain contact with the Embassy in the event of any emergency, with the embassy providing contact information for immediate assistance. The advisory's unexpected issuance reflects the increasing concerns regarding security in Kenya and the necessity for heightened precautions, even for nationals from countries that traditionally refrain from issuing such warnings.

This development follows a recent travel advisory issued by the US Embassy, advising American citizens to exercise caution in specific areas of Nairobi.