China issues travel warning for US, citing guns and harassment

China is warning its citizens of the risks associated with visiting the U.S., including harassment and the frequency of shootings. 

The country’s foreign ministry, along with its embassy and consulates, on Tuesday issued a warning saying Chinese nationals who visit the U.S. have been interrogated and harassed by American law enforcement agencies, according to The Associated Press.{mosads}

The Chinese Ministry of Culture and Tourism issued a separate travel alert on Tuesday, noting the high numbers of shootings, robberies and thefts in the U.S., the AP reported.

Chinese students were also told on Monday to consider the risks of studying in the U.S.

“For some time, the U.S. has politicized normal China-U.S. educational exchanges using the China threat and Chinese infiltration as excuses,” foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said at a briefing on Tuesday, according to the AP.

China also sent out an alert for the U.S. last summer, warning its citizens of shootings, robberies and high medical costs. 

The warnings, which are active through Dec. 31, come amid a trade dispute between the U.S. and China. 

Trade talks between the U.S. and China collapsed early in May, as the countries failed to reach an agreement. After this, the U.S. raised tariffs from 10 percent to 25 percent on $200 billion in Chinese goods. China followed up by targeting $60 billion in U.S. agricultural exports.