An unusual case is sparking discussions on the China-Kazakhstan border, as travelers from Kazakhstan claim they were asked to shave their beards before being permitted entry into China.
The allegations concern the region of Khorgos, one of the most important border hubs between the two nations, in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.
However, there is a crucial detail: so far, no official announcement establishing a general entry ban into China for foreign nationals with beards has been identified. The outlet Ulysmedia itself, which published the testimonies, points out that it is not known whether this constitutes a new general rule or a practice implemented locally at that specific crossing.
«Either shave or go back»
Kazakh traveler Samat Avganov stated that he travels regularly to China for business reasons and that until now he had never encountered a similar incident.
According to his testimony, when he arrived in Khorgos on September 3, he was informed that he had two choices: either shave his beard or return to Kazakhstan.
He stated that he ultimately shaved in order to continue his journey.
Second testimony: «They hand a razor to the men»
A similar scene was described by Shyngys Kudaibergenov.
According to his claims, bearded men are stopped by authorities, given a razor, and the process may be recorded on video. He also claimed that some are not allowed to proceed unless they shave first.
Shyngys Kudaibergenov said he managed to keep a small part of his beard following a discussion with officials.
These descriptions represent traveler accounts and not official confirmation by Chinese authorities.
Why is there mention of «extremism»?
The explanation connecting the incident to combating religious extremism is grounded in older regulations of Xinjiang, though caution is required in the wording.
The «de-extremification» regulations enacted in the region in 2017 include among prohibited behaviors the growing of what is translated as an «abnormal beard» when used to propagate religious fanaticism. They do not state that every beard is automatically deemed an indicator of extremism.
The same regulations also include restrictions on attire or symbols that local authorities associate with extremist practices.
Caution: There is no general «beard ban in China»
This is perhaps the most important point.
It does not emerge from available information that China has established a general rule according to which male tourists or business travelers are prohibited from entering the country if they have beards.
The regulations in question relate specifically to Xinjiang and fall within the region's policy against what Chinese authorities describe as religious extremism. Ulysmedia explicitly notes that there has been no official announcement of a new rule prohibiting entry with a beard for Kazakhs or other foreign nationals.
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