China steps backward: New law restricts citizens from leaving the country

China has imposed extensive travel restrictions on its citizens as part of an effort to protect state secrets and technology. The regulations, which took effect this week, expand existing exit bans for public employees to private workers in sensitive fields. Violators face fines and exit bans ranging from three months to an indefinite period. Commentators identify a regression to the Mao era.

China has imposed new and extensive travel restrictions on its citizens as part of President Xi Jinping's effort to protect state secrets, advanced technology, and skilled workers. The regulations, which took effect on Monday, formalize exit restrictions that previously applied to mid-to-high-level public employees, Communist Party members, and workers at state-owned companies, and extend them to private citizens working in fields defined as sensitive. Violators risk heavy fines and exit bans ranging from three months to an indefinite period. Commentators identify a regression to the Mao era, when exit bans were common practice. Premier Li Qiang signed the order in July, and the State Council stated that the regulations are intended to protect national sovereignty, security, and development interests. The laws join a series of regulations aimed at responding to sanctions and strengthening competition with the United States for technological control. A prominent example is the exit ban imposed on the CEO of the artificial intelligence company Manus, Xiao Hong, and other senior executives after they finalized a sale deal with Meta. The regulations provide authorities with a clear path to impose exit bans on employees of private companies, including managers and researchers, using the term "may endanger," which allows broad discretion. Citizens report unofficial travel restrictions, including phone calls from immigration officials warning against travel to certain destinations such as the United States and Japan.