China to enforce exit bans to protect national security
New Chinese border control rules taking effect on Tuesday could ban citizens from leaving the country if they engage in illegal activity that endangers national or industrial security.
The rules, part of a broader overhaul of border regulations, reflect in part heightened Government concern about the export of technology at a time of growing competition with the US in artificial intelligence and other emerging areas. The opening clause of the regulation says it was drawn up to protect national sovereignty, security and development interests.
A citizen engaging in criminal activity overseas that endangers national security could be prohibited from leaving China again for six months to three years from the date of their return. Similarly, a citizen who violates technology export or import regulations could be banned from leaving if the action endangers industrial or technological security, the regulation says.
“The new regs are another indication of just how serious China is about preventing the transfer of key tech and technical knowledge,” the consultancy Trivium said in a note after the regulations were announced about six weeks ago.
In an unexpected move, China blocked tech giant Meta from acquiring artificial intelligence startup Manus in April after the deal apparently aroused Government concern about the transfer of advanced technology.
