US State Dept warning on travel to or transiting Hong Kong

[MelbFlyer]

Sadly some people still think it’s only airport security check this law applies, BUT this law applies to the streets in HKG as well!! My best advice is to avoid HKG where possible!!

If you've got nothing to hide then you shouldn't have an issue.

If you do though, that's a different story.

I've got nothing to hide and I'll be in HK for an overnight layover next month, I'll report back with my experience.

 

[lazblue]

Both can be true. Yes it has 27% increase in Aussies visiting HK from 2024. Then again, HK numbers was only just recovered from very low numbers from the Covid times. Most people i know who go to HKG are ex HKers (who are also Aussie citizens) plus their Aussie kids, who haven’t been back to HK since Covid times, or mainland Chinese who decided to stopover at HK before heading to China.

Since 2019, I don’t know anyone who are not Chinese deliberately go to HKG as destination for holiday. At most they would stopover at HKG before going to other places like Europe, or Japan etc.

Must say that I have noticed from my social media network that there has definitely been an increase in people visiting HK in recent times - a few of my friends (not ex-HKers and not of Asian heritage) went to HK for their Easter holiday recently.

Most people still seem to believe this law is over reaction as it is the same in Australian airports, but as I kept saying - it is on the streets of HK, not about airports AND without warrant from a judge, and if refuse, you can end up in jail for 1 year in HK!!

I actually wondering how likely will you get searched on the streets in Hong Kong?
I think unless you are a YouTuber who constantly broadcast anti-China propoganda in Hong Kong, or you get drunk after HK Sevens and commit a crime. Otherwise, I can pay for your lawyers fees if you get searched on the streets of HK and ask for phone data.

Obviously each person can do their own risk assessment, but I agree that the likelihood of you being stopped to be searched is extremely low unless you're a political activist or something. I transited through HK to Taiwan and did a stopover on the way back to Oz in March (first time in HK since 2019) and it was fine - did not get stopped by any officials in the streets and the immigration officer at the airport was actually friendly. I was conscious of the law but figured that I have nothing to hide....

 

[tomlee1986]

Must say that I have noticed from my social media network that there has definitely been an increase in people visiting HK in recent times - a few of my friends (not ex-HKers and not of Asian heritage) went to HK for their Easter holiday recently.




Obviously each person can do their own risk assessment, but I agree that the likelihood of you being stopped to be searched is extremely low unless you're a political activist or something. I transited through HK to Taiwan and did a stopover on the way back to Oz in March (first first time in HK since 2019) and it was fine - did not get stopped by any officials in the streets and the immigration officer at the airport was actually friendly. I was conscious of the law but figured that I have nothing to hide....

I agree the traffic has increased, but I still suggest the risk is high… of course you have to take your risk assessment, but these travel advisory do NOT come out for no reason… my recommendation still stands- but of course if you want to go, no one can stop it… just take your risks and run with it…

 

[clifford]

but these travel advisory do NOT come out for no reason… my recommendation still stands- but of course if you want to go, no one can stop it… just take your risks and run with it…

Just look at the administration issuing these advisories and make your own decision. Not hard, really.

 

[Flyfrequently]

One thing to call out at HKG is that they require your plane ticket to match your full name of your passport, including your middle names. I left out my middle name on my QR ticket against my Australian passport, and the check-in counter and screening agent made a big deal of it, and almost denied me from leaving HKG. I never had this issue anywhere else. So, watch out on that one.

Vietnam is another that requires full name as on passport @kamchatsky

 

[MelbFlyer]

Vietnam is another that requires full name as on passport @kamchatsky

I don't have a middle name so thankfully I don't have that extra hassle, but hasn't this always been mandatory / required anyway - and for many countries too?

 

[pyffii]

Transited yesterday enroute yesterday from Haneda to Madrid and other than the huge lines no issues at all