In response to the supposed ‘sonic attack’ in Cuba, the United States Treasury issued a new restriction for Americans traveling to Cuba independently.

Summary 

On June 8, the United States State Department issued an alert to American citizens living and traveling to China to seek medical attention if they experienced strange ‘auditory or sensory’ symptoms. The symptoms described in reports are eerily similar to those experienced by the American diplomats evacuated to the United States from Guangzhou, China in late May 2018 and from Cuba in 2016. In response to the supposed ‘sonic attack’ in Cuba, the United States Treasury issued a new restriction for Americans traveling to Cuba independently. According to a November 8, 2017 Treasury Department publication, individual travel for tourism was no longer permitted and for those with official business, special licenses would be required. As a result, tourism in Cuba was severely impacted. The Chinese government has not yet publicly released any statements on this issue.  

FAO Global Assessment 

The Chinese tourism industry could be negatively impacted if the security concerns surrounding these possible attacks are not quickly resolved. China could acquire a reputation as an unsafe travel and business destination, which would force significant public relations assistance to mitigate. As a result, fewer Americans would be interested in going to China to seek investment and business opportunities. If American businesses are seeking new locations for labor-intensive manufacturing, Southeast Asia offers a palatable alternative. Wages for Chinese labors are increasing, making manufacturing increasingly expensive. This gives US businesses a unique opportunity to explore the market in other parts of Asia. 

Related Links 

1. New York Times: U.S. Issues Alert to Americans in China in Wake of Sonic Attack Fears 
2. South China Morning Post: US embassy in China sends new mystery illness alert as concerns over Cuba-style ‘sonic attacks’ grow 
3. South China Morning Post: More Americans flee US consulate in China as mysterious sonic sickness linked to Cuba illness spreads 
4. The Storm Media: 美國駐廣州外交官又遭「聲波攻擊」？中國官媒開嘲諷：是你們的情報設備功率太強了吧
5. New York Times: What the State Department Warning on Cuba Means for Travelers 

Analyst Bio

Ziqing Zhang- International Policy Associate

Ziqing “Sunny” Zhang is an international policy intern and a Masters student in the Elliott School of International Affairs at George Washington where she is majoring in Asian Studies with a concentration in international development and focusing on East Asia and development in Southeast Asia. A native Chinese speaker, Ziqing is fluent in both Mandarin and Cantonese as well as English. She has previously interned at the U.S.-China Education Trust, the Japan-American Society of Washington, DC, and is an alum of American University in Washington, DC.

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