China Issues Travel Advisory for Citizens Visiting Sri Lanka

In a recent advisory, the Chinese Embassy in Colombo urged its citizens traveling to Sri Lanka to adhere strictly to local laws and customs. This move comes in response to numerous incidents where Chinese nationals were detained or questioned for alleged violations.

The advisory, published on China's WeChat platform, emphasized that such incidents tarnish the image of Chinese tourists and could compromise their rights and travel plans. As Sri Lanka enjoys a tourism surge, Chinese tourists rank fourth in visitor numbers, with significant growth during the summer vacation period.

The embassy outlined specific prohibitions, including importing cigarettes and exporting items like Salacia chinensis and gemstones. Chinese nationals were also cautioned against engaging in activities inconsistent with their visas, as well as unlawful acts such as cross-border gambling, which is now a criminal offense under amended Chinese law.

(With inputs from agencies.)