[Video] Is China stopping its own citizens from leaving?

China’s new rules on exit and entry administration come two months after China introduced State Council Decree No. 837 on outbound investment, which expanded oversight over cross-border capital, technology, data and AI talent. The focus now shifts to who can enter and leave China, and under what circumstances.

Signed by Chinese Premier Li Qiang on 31 July, the 19-article regulation will take effect on 15 September. It allows authorities to verify not only travel documents, but also the reasons and supporting information behind an application, including personal electronic data. The changes give immigration authorities broader powers to verify applications and intervene when they consider it necessary.

The most closely watched provision is Article 4, which spells out when Chinese citizens may be prohibited from leaving the country. The grounds include fraudulently obtaining exit or entry documents, certain overseas illegal activities, export control violations and technology security concerns. In some cases, those affected could be prevented from leaving China for six months to three years.

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