China tightens restrictions on citizens’ foreign travels, targeting those with money, talent, as well as activists

China has begun implementing on Sep 15 new border-control regulations designed to keep two of its most valuable assets from leaving the country: money and talent. It also seen to target human rights and other kinds of activists, for citizens deemed to have “harmed” China’s national security or interests while overseas can also be barred from leaving the country.

The rules give authorities the power to impose exit bans of six months to three years on Chinese citizens who commit certain violations.

The rules, issued by the State Council, give authorities explicit legal power to block people from leaving the country – turning a patchwork of ad hoc travel bans into a permanent regulatory tool for stemming capital and talent flight as well as restricting the movement of activists who are in the bad book of the Party-state.

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