Resources for Travel to China

Important caveats -- compliance with policy and law is your responsibility:

• The majority of the information in this document applies to those traveling anywhere internationally, even some "friendly" ones, but also particularly those with whom we do not have the greatest relationship (eg, currently, Russia).  While this document is intended to provide guidance and some places to start, you need to be sure to understand the rules, this document is intended as some hints and not necessarily prescriptive or authoritative.
• Be aware that there are extra rules for traveling to some countries that are designated state sponsors of terrorism (https://www.state.gov/state-sponsors-of-terrorism/), this document does not try to address them.
• This document is generically about non-work or research-related travel.  There are export control rules for China and many other countries that may apply to research or other intellectual property or technology you are bringing.  Export controls are complex and out of scope for discussion in a simple document such as this, if this is a concern, Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research has a comprehensive site dedicated to it: https://research.wisc.edu/integrity-and-other-requirements/export-control/.

Important overall notes about travel to China with computers, phones or other computing devices:

• It should be assumed that they are contaminated and have been entirely copied on their way in and out, and should be wiped after.
• It should be assumed that all activities are monitored and any passwords used are compromised and they must be changed.
• Using VPNs in China is highly regulated.  You will not be able to readily use Engineering or WiscVPN or any other  US-based VPN.  Also beware that actively avoiding Chinese firewall restrictions is at best questionably legal, if not illegal.
• Disk encryption in China is also highly regulated, if you have an encrypted device you will be asked to decrypt it for inspection (see first bullet) or it will be confiscated.
• Duo should be functional via Duo Mobile (https://help.duo.com/s/article/2094), but may be complicated by restrictions, and UW has some specific advice for traveling: https://kb.wisc.edu/85208

In general it is best to avoid bringing anything that isn't a "burner" device with you, if you need to bring a device with.

UW and Federal Government Information:

• UW-Madison International Program:
  • "Before you go" information for all travel: https://internationaltravel.wisc.edu/before-you-go/
  • General cybersecurity advice: https://internationaltravel.wisc.edu/cyber-and-digital-security/
  • "Orientation on China" presentation (Aug 2024): https://uwmadison.app.box.com/s/6pnurff3x8y2u6egqij4xlsccr3zqzfh
  • "Cyber and Data Security Abroad" presentation: https://uwmadison.app.box.com/s/808r2e4rj6hprmap2biohds2yvqn0plh
• Submitting an international telecommuting review request: https://kb.wisc.edu/security/107283
• UW-Madison Campus Cybersecurity: https://it.wisc.edu/learn/the-academic-professionals-guide-to-safe-computing-when-traveling-abroad/
• State Department: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/china-travel-advisory.html

Big Ten Peers:

• Minnesota: https://global.umn.edu/travel/technology/china
• Michigan State: https://research.msu.edu/security/travel/practices
• Michigan: https://safecomputing.umich.edu/protect-yourself/travel-safely-with-technology/taking-tech-devices-across-international-borders