China tightens travel rules for citizens over technology security
A sweeping new set of rules restricting travel in and out of China will give the government even more control over its citizens, say concerned observers.
Beijing (dpa) - China has imposed new restrictions on overseas travel for citizens, including exit bans for people who violate export controls or rules governing the transfer of technology.
A new regulation that took effect on Tuesday allows authorities to bar people from leaving the country if their violations could "endanger national industrial and technological security." No maximum duration for such travel bans is specified.
In an explanatory note, the authorities cited cases in which Chinese citizens had illegally transferred technology abroad after an unauthorized departure from the country. Beijing also justified the tighter controls on the grounds of protecting technical knowledge. Exit bans on national security grounds had already been possible before.
Further grounds for exit bans
The regulation, published in July, also allows authorities to bar citizens from leaving the country from between six months and three years if they are deemed to have harmed China's national security or interests while abroad.
The authorities say the tighter controls are intended to combat unlawful behaviour including cross-border fraud and illegal gambling. Critics, however, see the new rules as an expansion of state control over citizens' freedom of movement.
The 19-article regulation also governs entry into China. Foreigners who provide false information in visa applications abroad or upon entry can be barred from entering for between one and five years.
It also expands travel authorization requirements for certain employees.
Many party and state officials have for years been required to surrender their private passports to their employer and obtain authorization for trips abroad.
The new regulation extends some of these requirements to employees of schools and other public institutions, justified on the grounds of protecting state secrets and combating corruption.