Starting Tuesday, China has broadly implemented travel restrictions on its citizens. Individuals deemed a threat to the country’s ‘industrial or technological security’ have been barred from leaving the country. These new entry and exit regulations, enacted in July, specifically target citizens who violate rules related to the import and export of technology. Those involved in infractions within the artificial intelligence (AI) sector are especially under scrutiny. The State Council in Beijing has clearly outlined these new regulations.
The State Council stated that these rules were created to “safeguard national sovereignty, security, and development interests.” The measures will not only apply to individuals inside China but also to Chinese nationals who have committed criminal acts abroad. Citizens involved in such cases will face travel bans for a specified period upon returning to China. According to the State Council, “From the day they return to China, they may be prohibited from leaving the country for anywhere between six months to three years.” These restrictions come amid intensifying technological competition between China and the United States. In recent months, both countries have accused each other of stealing locally developed AI models.
