US warns citizens against travel to China citing detention risks and "arbitrary law enforcement"

The U.S. Department of State recommended Americans not travel to China due to the risk of wrongful detention and unfair legal prosecution.
The warning comes after China sentenced a 78-year-old American citizen to life in prison on dubious espionage charges.
China recently passed harsh laws targeting foreign critics and expanding authorities' power to prosecute foreigners for espionage.
Chinese authorities have broad discretion to detain and charge foreign nationals for a range of offenses like espionage.
Exit bans are being used to force cooperation with Chinese government investigations and pressure families abroad.