China's new border rules can stop citizens leaving over tech security risks

China's new border control rules, which take effect on Tuesday, could stop citizens from leaving the country if they are involved in illegal activity that endangers national or industrial security. The measures are part of a wider overhaul of border regulations and come amid growing concern in Beijing over the transfer of technology.

The rules also allow authorities to bar foreigners from entering China for one to five years if they provide false information in a visa application or at a port of entry. Chinese authorities have said the measures are aimed at illegal cross-border activity and will not affect ordinary travellers with legitimate reasons to go abroad.

The opening clause of the regulation says it was drawn up to protect national sovereignty, security and development interests. Under the new rules, a Chinese citizen involved in criminal activity overseas that endangers national security could be barred from leaving China again for six months to three years after returning. A citizen who violates technology export or import rules could also face a travel ban if the action endangers industrial or technological security.

The changes reflect, in part, the government's heightened concern over the export of technology at a time of increasing competition with the United States in artificial intelligence and other emerging sectors. "The new regs are another indication of just how serious China is about preventing the transfer of key tech and technical knowledge," consultancy Trivium said in a note after the regulations were announced about six weeks ago.

In April, China unexpectedly blocked tech giant Meta from acquiring artificial intelligence start-up Manus after the proposed deal apparently raised official concern about the transfer of advanced technology. Manus is a Singapore company with Chinese roots.

The new border rules also aim to stop citizens from being lured into travelling abroad and then being forced to take part in illegal gambling or online and phone scam operations, a problem that has persisted in recent years. Seeking to calm concerns, the Cyberspace Administration of China said in an online post last week: "The measures target people involved in illegal cross-border activities, not ordinary citizens with legitimate reasons to travel abroad." Overall, the new rules tighten China's border controls by linking travel restrictions more closely to national security, technology transfers and cross-border crime.