Chinese Tourists Got Arrested in Berlin for the Way They Saluted

Germany receives millions of tourists each year attracted by the historic depth this land harbors. Many of them include a stop to the Reichstag which is the seat of the lower house of Parliament in Berlin. However, two Chinese tourists failed to respect the local laws that forbid certain symbols and gestures. Most of these illicit imprudences stem from the cruel era of Hitler. Therefore, the two foreigners were arrested on the spot.

The Two Chinese Tourists Photographed Each Other Hailing in Front of Berlin Historic Site

According to local police, the two tourists photographed each other with their smartphones. While there is no issue snapping some pictures, their poses were extremely offensive for the Reichstag and everything it represents. They were making the notorious Nazi salute. Some police officers that were in charge of guarding historic landmarks witnessed the illegal gesture and arrested the tourists.

The identity of the Chinese citizens remained under anonymity yet it is known that they are 36 and 49 of age. They were charged on Sunday based on the laws issued after the 1945 events. On the other hand, this incident raises questions regarding the enlarging gap between western and eastern cultures.

Authorities Should Investigate the Cultural Clash Tourism Sparks

People of Austria, Germany, and other European countries are well aware of the events and their consequences that originate from the two World Wars. Therefore, they understand how Berlin came to issue such strange laws regarding gestures and symbols.

However, it is unclear how knowledgeable Asian people are about this situation. Given the fact that Chinese visitors are gathering in larger numbers by the year for European tours, authorities should investigate this cultural gap.

Once China lifted its travel ban on the European Union, Germany received a considerable boost for its tourism industry. In 2014 alone, there were two million Chinese tourists in this country. Research foundation Mercator Institute for China Studies predicts that the number will increase to 2.2 million by 2020.

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