China issues third advisory for citizens travelling to India

The new advisory asks Chinese nationals not to visit restricted areas in India such as the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and not to photograph military facilities.

China has issued a new advisory for its citizens travelling to India, directing them not to visit restricted areas or take photos of military installations.

File photo taken on July 10, 2008 shows a Chinese soldier (left) gesturing to an Indian soldier at Nathu La border crossing in India's northeastern Sikkim state. (AFP)

This is the third advisory issued by the Chinese embassy in New Delhi in three months, with the first one put out in July.

“Some Chinese citizens visited Andaman and Nicobar Islands, which are restricted areas for foreigners, without gaining permits from India. Some tourists were asked to return upon arrival; some were even arrested or investigated,” the Global Times quoted the advisory as saying.

“(Visitors should) not photograph India’s border and military facilities and vehicles. While travelling on India’s border neighbouring Nepal, avoid visiting border markets, and do not enter the territory of other countries by mistake,” it added.

The first warning was issued on July 7 amid the standoff between border troops of the two countries at Doklam near the Sikkim border. The standoff, triggered by the construction of a road by Chinese troops, ended in August with the withdrawal of troops by both sides.

The warning was reissued in late August, expanding the scope of the first one to include being alert about natural disasters and infectious diseases.

State media reported earlier this week that China is fast becoming one of the most popular destinations for Indian tourists, with more than 600,000 of them visiting various destinations this year. Quoting a Chinese official, Xinhua reported it was estimated the number of outbound tourists from India will reach 50 million by 2020, up from 21.87 million in 2016.

“Tian Xin, an official from the New Delhi office of the China National Tourism Administration, revealed that in 2014, the number of Indian tourists to China was 709,900, up 4.6% year-on-year from 2013. In 2015, the number increased to 730,500 and in just the first nine months of 2016, the number had already reached 600,900,” the report said.