China has introduced new border control rules that allow authorities to stop citizens from leaving the country if they engage in illegal activities that threaten national or industrial security.
The rules, which took effect Tuesday as part of a wider overhaul of border regulations, come amid growing government concerns over the transfer of advanced technology as competition with the United States intensifies in artificial intelligence and other emerging fields.
The regulation says its main purpose is to protect China's sovereignty, security and development interests.
Under the new rules, Chinese citizens who engage in illegal or criminal activities overseas that threaten national security could be barred from leaving the country again for six months to three years after returning.
People who violate regulations governing technology imports or exports could also face travel restrictions if their actions are considered a threat to industrial or technological security.
Authorities may also choose not to notify the individuals concerned if they believe notification could affect national security or interfere with a criminal investigation.
The broad wording of the rules has raised concerns among experts about the amount of discretion officials may have in deciding which activities and individuals are covered.
“Given how broadly national security is defined nowadays, one could easily find themselves subject to bans without even these basic procedural protections promised in the text,” said Mark Jia, a law professor at Georgetown University.
Consultancy Trivium said the regulations were another sign of China's determination to prevent the transfer of key technologies and technical knowledge.
In April, China unexpectedly blocked technology company Meta from acquiring artificial intelligence startup Manus after the proposed deal reportedly raised government concerns about the transfer of advanced technology. Manus is a Singapore-based company with Chinese roots.
The new border rules also contain provisions affecting foreigners. Authorities can bar foreign nationals from entering China for one to five years if they provide false information in visa applications or at ports of entry.
The regulations also aim to protect Chinese citizens from being tricked into traveling overseas and then forced to take part in illegal gambling or online and telephone scam operations, which have remained a persistent problem in recent years.
The Cyberspace Administration of China, which oversees online discussions, sought to ease concerns that the new measures would make international travel more difficult.
In an online post last week, the agency said the rules target people involved in illegal cross-border activities rather than ordinary citizens who have legitimate reasons to travel abroad.