China Enacts New Travel Restrictions Citing Technology Security Concerns
China has implemented new exit-and-entry rules that allow authorities to restrict citizens' travel for up to three years if they are deemed to jeopardize national security or violate tech regulations. The measures, effective immediately, specifically target individuals considered a threat to China's technological security.
Sources
New exit-and-entry rules for Chinese citizens, which began on Tuesday, include bans for individuals deemed to have endangered China's technological security, particularly regarding artificial intelligence, and can last from six months to three years for those who have committed offenses abroad. These regulations also affect foreign nationals, who may be denied entry for up to five years if found to have made false statements in visa applications. Analysts warn that the vague definitions in the rules could allow for broad and potentially arbitrary enforcement by Beijing, especially concerning Taiwanese citizens in the tech sector.
New travel rules in China allow authorities to bar citizens from leaving for up to three years if they are deemed to have harmed national security or violated technology import/export regulations. Critics argue that these regulations serve to tighten government control over citizens' overseas activities, with one young man, referred to as Pipi, sharing that his passport application was rejected due to his participation in pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong. Data from rights group Safeguard Defenders indicates a significant increase in exit bans, with the number rising from 89 in 2016 to 188,760 by last year.