China: Beijing threatens to detain American citizens - Report - Business Insider

China has communicated the threat to the White House on numerous occasions and through multiple channels, including the US embassy in Beijing, according to The Wall Street Journal.

This latest escalation in tension between the White House and Beijing dates back to July when the US Department of Justice arrested four Chinese researchers, accused of concealing affiliations with the People's Liberation Army in their visa applications.

Last month, the US State Department advised citizens against traveling to China, warning that Beijing was using arbitrary detention and blocking foreign nationals from leaving "to gain bargaining leverage over foreign governments."