China Tightens Travel Rules for Citizens Over Technology Security

China has imposed new restrictions on overseas travel for citizens, including exit bans for people who violate export controls or rules governing the transfer of technology.

A new regulation that took effect on Tuesday allows authorities to bar people from leaving the country if their violations could "endanger national industrial and technological security." 

No maximum duration for such travel bans is specified.

In an explanatory note, the authorities cited cases in which Chinese citizens had illegally transferred technology abroad after an unauthorized departure from the country. 

Beijing also justified the tighter controls on the grounds of protecting technical knowledge. Exit bans on national security grounds had already been possible before.

China keeps close scrutiny on sectors like semiconductors and AI, as the race between Beijing and Washington for tech dominance heats up. 

According to reports, travel restrictions were earlier imposed on some executives from these industries.

In March, the co-founders of Manus - an AI company that had been acquired by Meta - were reportedly barred from leaving China.

Under the new rules, border officials are now also required to advise Chinese nationals against travelling to countries and regions deemed "high-risk".

Source - BBC | Yahoo