China has imposed new rules restricting travel in and out of the country in a move that observers say will give the government even more control over its citizens.
According to DW, sweeping travel restrictions on Chinese citizens came into effect on Tuesday, September 15, including exit bans for people considered to have endangered China's "industrial or technological security."
The new exit-and-entry rules, which were passed in July, apply to citizens deemed to have violated technology import and export regulations, particularly in the field of artificial intelligence.
The State Council in Beijing said the new rules were formulated to "safeguard national sovereignty, security, and development interests."
The regulations apply not only to people within China but also to Chinese citizens deemed to have committed criminal acts abroad.
In such cases, citizens could be "prohibited from leaving the country for a period of six months to three years from the date of their return to China," said the State Council.
Travel bans give Beijing 'wide remit'
The restrictions come as China remains locked in a technological arms race with the United States, with both countries accusing each other of stealing locally developed AI models in recent months.
And analysts warn that the full scope of the new rules will only become clear once they start being implemented.
Chong Ja Ian, an analyst from the National University of Singapore told AFP news agency that ecurity and criminal activities "can be vaguely defined and easily adjusted," adding that Beijing has given itself a "wide remit."
Under the new regulations, foreign nationals could also be denied entry to China for up to five years if found to have made false statements in visa applications.
Foreign governments have often reported instances of citizens being denied permission to leave China due to security-related investigations.
The new rules could have particular implications for Taiwanese nationals who work in the tech sector and who travel between Taiwan and China.
Authorities in Taipei have warned citizens to take extra care on visits to China, which considers people from Taiwan to be Chinese citizens.
