WASHINGTON D.C. / BEIJING — China is warning its citizens against travelling to the United States, citing instances of visitors being harassed by U.S. officials, and frequent shootings.

ABC News reports that China's foreign ministry as well as Chinese embassies and consulates in the U.S. sent out the warning, which urges their people to step up safety awareness and preventive measures.

According to the Associated Press, U.S. law enforcement agencies have allegedly subject Chinese visitors to interrogation, interviews, and other forms of what it calls "harassment."

In a separate alert, China's Ministry of Culture and Tourism sent out a warning over frequent robberies, thefts, and gun violence in America, and urged Chinese students abroad to fully assess the travel risks.

The travel alert is valid until December 31, and comes amid a worsening trade dispute between Washington and Beijing.

According to AP, Chinese travel to the U.S. is falling after over a decade of rapid growth - partly due to the additional visa checks.

Travel from China also fell by 5.7 percent in 2018, marking the first time since 2003 that Chinese travel to America went down from the previous year.

China had held a similar travel warning last summer, which prompted the Americans to shoot back with their own warning about travelling to China.