New travel regulations between China and the outside world have been implemented, prompting concerns about increased governmental control over citizens. Under these rules, individuals who have “harmed” national security while abroad may be barred from leaving China for up to three years after returning. Violations of technology import/export laws could also lead to travel bans.
Authorities assert that these regulations aim to safeguard national sovereignty and do not restrict average citizens’ travel. However, critics view them as means for Beijing to tighten its grip on citizens abroad. Professor Tom Kellogg remarked that these measures mainly target individuals criticizing the government or engaged in rights advocacy, with state security authorities sometimes denying passport issuance without formal explanations.
The new rules categorize individuals as at risk based on previous behavior and suspicious travel patterns. They were partly instituted to protect citizens from scams and illegal activities abroad. Yet, many Chinese nationals have reported unclarified travel restrictions for years. One citizen, Pipi, experienced rejection of his passport application following his participation in pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong, suggesting a chilling effect on civil liberties.
Currently, individuals are often unaware of exit bans until they apply for travel documents. Although official protocol mandates written explanations for such bans, enforcement appears lacking. Recent data from rights organizations indicates a significant increase in exit bans, with instances surging from 89 in 2016 to nearly 188,760 in 2022.
Under the new regulations, officials must now advise against travel to high-risk regions, a situation that has already affected civil servants and employees of state-owned enterprises, who must often seek approval for foreign travel. Critics liken these expanding restrictions to earlier eras of stringent control in China, warning of a return to previous oppressive practices reminiscent of Mao Zedong’s era when international travel was severely limited.
