Headed for Olympics? Beware of Big Brother

The State Department says that there is no evidence to suggest that Americans will be targets of violence during the games.

Some activists have sought to tie the Beijing Olympics to the genocide in Darfur because of China's cozy trade relationship with the Sudanese government. Some groups hope to use the global spotlight cast by the games to highlight these and other human rights issues in China.

If any Americans are planning on protesting, however, the State Department's fact sheet has some advice as well. Though other warnings in the fact sheet do not mince words, the State Department refers diplomatically to China's heavy-handed police control of political dissent.

"The threat level for political violence also remains low. In most major metropolitan areas, the Chinese authorities employ an overwhelming police/security presence to ensure that demonstrations remain peaceful. Protestors must receive an official permit from municipal authorities before being allowed to gather," the fact sheet says, without referring to any specific issues.

The fact sheet also contains a warning for dual U.S.-Chinese citizens who use their Chinese passports to enter the country.

"If you are a dual American-Chinese citizen and are arrested or detained in China, the choice you made on which passport to use in entering China will be very important," the fact sheet says. "U.S. Embassy and Consulate officials are often denied access to arrested or detained Americans who do not enter China using their U.S. passport."