US commerce employee blocked in China as exit bans escalate

The US State Department confirmed that a US Patent and Trademark Office employee traveling to China in a personal capacity has been prevented from leaving the country by Chinese authorities.

“We are tracking this case very closely and are engaged with Chinese officials to resolve the situation as quickly as possible,” a State Department spokesperson said, underscoring Washington’s concern over the incident, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

The individual’s identity and whether they have been formally detained have not been disclosed. The US Patent and Trademark Office operates under the federal Department of Commerce, which has not yet responded to requests for comment.

During a regular press briefing on July 22, China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun addressed the matter, stating, “China is a country ruled by law, and all matters concerning entry and exit are handled according to the law.” He declined to provide further details.

The US citizen, employed by the Commerce Department, traveled to China several months ago to visit family but was reportedly barred from leaving after failing to disclose his government affiliation on his visa application.

This case highlights a broader pattern of China’s use of exit bans, a tactic frequently applied to Chinese and foreign nationals involved in civil disputes, regulatory enforcement actions, and criminal investigations. Analysts note that these exit restrictions are sometimes wielded as a tool to suppress dissent or exert diplomatic pressure during bilateral disputes.

Relations between Washington and Beijing have been strained for years over a range of issues, including trade tariffs, the origins of COVID-19, and tensions surrounding Taiwan.

In a related development, Chenyue Mao, a US citizen and banker at Wells Fargo (WFC.N), has also been prevented from leaving China. Beijing’s foreign ministry stated that Mao “was involved in a criminal case and obliged to cooperate with an investigation.”

Following Mao’s exit ban, Wells Fargo suspended all employee travel to China, according to a source familiar with the matter, marking the latest in a series of restrictions faced by foreign executives attempting to depart the country.

As diplomatic strains persist, the use of exit bans remains a contentious issue, complicating efforts to normalize US-China relations amid ongoing geopolitical rivalry.

By Vafa Guliyeva