China expands travel restrictions, citizens linked to tech security risks in focus

China has tightened restrictions on citizens leaving the country, with new exit-and-entry rules coming into force on Tuesday. The measures allow authorities to prevent people considered a potential risk to national technology or industrial security from travelling abroad.

The rules, announced by Beijing in July, cover cases involving violations of export controls and technology import-export regulations that could threaten China's industrial or technological security.

Under the new framework, Chinese citizens who return home after committing illegal or criminal acts overseas that harm national security or national interests could face an exit ban lasting between six months and three years.

The regulations also allow foreign nationals to be denied entry into China for one to five years if they are found to have made false statements in their visa applications.

While Chinese citizens can generally travel abroad, authorities have for years imposed additional restrictions on people with access to sensitive information. Senior government officials and executives at state-owned enterprises, for instance, have faced curbs on private overseas travel.

Beijing's wider scrutiny of foreign links

Concerns over foreign influence have also led to tighter checks on people working for government bodies and state-linked companies.

Reuters reported in 2023 that Chinese civil servants and employees of state-linked enterprises were facing greater restrictions on private trips abroad, along with increased scrutiny of their connections overseas.

Foreign governments have separately reported instances of Chinese citizens being stopped from leaving the country, including in cases linked to security investigations.

The issue gained further attention last month after Min Zin, a US citizen and Myanmar expert designated by Washington, was detained by Chinese authorities following his arrest in June over allegations of endangering national security.

Taiwan raises concerns over tech workers

The new rules have also drawn attention in Taiwan, which Beijing claims as part of China. Taipei has advised its citizens to exercise greater caution when travelling to the mainland.

Shen Yu-chung, deputy head of Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council, said the regulations "legalise" previously legally unfounded border control practices and increase the discretionary powers of enforcement agencies.

He pointed specifically to provisions involving "export control" and "technology import-export management", saying they could be particularly significant for Taiwanese working in the technology sector.

China has rejected Taiwan's concerns, maintaining that the new regulations offer stronger legal protection to Taiwanese citizens.