China Introduces Travel Restriction Rules, Including Exit Bans

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – China has implemented wide-ranging travel restrictions on its citizens as of Tuesday (15/9/2026). The rules also include exit bans for those deemed a threat to the state.

The State Council said that citizens who violate import and export regulations, including those concerning technology, may be barred from leaving China. The rules, first released in July, apply for six months to three years from the date of their return to China.

“The rules serve to protect national sovereignty, security, and development interests,” the State Council stated, as quoted by AFP.

Meanwhile, analysts have warned that the travel regulations give China “broad scope”. Some analysts even raised the potential for bans on foreign nationals leaving the country.

“Security and criminal activities can be defined vaguely and easily adapted,” said Chong Ja Ian, an observer from the National University of Singapore.

“The outside world will only know how the government exercises that authority after there are cases of implementation,” he added.

He pointed to recent reports of exit bans imposed on US nationals, including the latest case of Min Zin. The US government said the political analyst was detained by the Chinese authorities in Yunnan province on 3 June and held unlawfully.

China denied the allegations in August. Beijing said Min Zin was suspected of violating the Bamboo Curtain law.

“The Min Zin case is a reminder that the range of people (whom China can restrict from leaving) can be very broad, and potentially arbitrary,” said Chong.

Meanwhile, Dylan Loh, an associate professor at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, said the travel restrictions “send a message” that China will take action to prevent “leaks in the field of security or sensitive national interests”.