The Chinese government implemented the Exit-Entry Administration Regulation on 15 September. While advanced-technology engineers are among the main targets of the restrictions, the government says in principle that ordinary citizens’ entry and exit are not covered. At the same time, reports of passports being taken at the local level are spreading.
The Chinese government implemented Exit-Entry Administration Regulation No. 841 on 15 September and has indicated a policy of restricting the entry and exit of engineers in advanced-technology fields such as AI, semiconductors and rare earths, as well as civil servants, corporate executives and individuals under investigation. At the same time, it says that ordinary citizens traveling for purposes such as study abroad or tourism are excluded from the restrictions.
However, posts on social media have increasingly reported that ordinary citizens had their passports taken by their supervisors, were suddenly told at airports that they could not leave the country, or were no longer able to apply for new passports, fueling concern.
China’s National Day holiday is expected to begin on 1 October, and Japan and other destinations are being considered for overseas travel, but uncertainty over travel trends is increasing.
According to a report by Yicai Daily, taking leave on the weekdays between the Mid-Autumn Festival and the National Day holiday would create a 13-day break, which was expected to boost overseas travel. However, concerns are growing that calls from the government to refrain from overseas travel and the new regulation could lead to a sharp decline in the number of Chinese tourists visiting Japan.