China travel risk for American citizens ‘unchanged’ despite exit bans: US trade group

China’s recent exit bans on two American businesspeople do not raise the travel risk for US-based executives, as neither case appears “geopolitical or retaliatory”, an American trade advocacy group has said. “The risk of exit bans, detentions, or other complications has not changed for most travellers,” according to the US-China Business Council, though it acknowledged that the high-profile cases had led companies to reassess their travel procedures to limit risks. In July, Beijing said it had barred a senior Wells Fargo executive from leaving the country over a criminal investigation, prompting the American bank to suspend all business travel to the country. Three months earlier, an employee of the US Patent and Trademark Office was also banned from leaving China during a personal visit to relatives. “Both situations appear to follow existing enforcement patterns and do not portend higher than usual travel risk for American executives,” the report’s authors said. Chinese criminal or civil law cases have been “historically common reasons” for exit bans, according to the August 22 report. Probes into a company’s business associates, including suppliers and customers, may “create complications” for travelling employees. Exit bans have been a sticking point in the China-US relationship along with trade tariffs, export controls, geopolitical tensions around the Asia-Pacific and other issues. However, the trade group’s discussions with travelling executives, government officials and security experts “suggest safety concerns are generally unchanged in recent months”. Board executives from the council made a two-day trip to Beijing last month, meeting with Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao and other officials. The trade group called for a “stable, fair, and predictable environment” for US businesses, per the group’s website. Meanwhile, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun confirmed in July that Wells Fargo executive Mao Chenyue was involved in a criminal case currently under investigation and was obliged to “cooperate with the investigation pursuant to Chinese laws”. It is a risk, but not for people just enjoying the Great Wall or the spiciness of Sichuan Stephen Nagy, Japan Institute for International Affairs China “will protect her lawful rights and interests during the investigation”, the spokesman added. US citizens born in China or with family ties there face a “higher risk” of exit bans, and Beijing does not recognise dual nationality status, according to the business council report. Both the patent office employee and the Wells Fargo executive fall into this category. Risks are especially high for travellers with relatives who work or have worked for Chinese state-owned enterprises or government departments, the report’s authors said. Executives handling “large amounts” of “sensitive” research, data or personal information related to customers or company employees may also face elevated risks. The US State Department has advised American citizens to reconsider travel to China, based on “arbitrary enforcement of local laws”, including exit bans. However, most foreigners can travel to China without any issues, although certain researchers and tech professionals may face scrutiny, said Stephen Nagy, a visiting fellow at the Japan Institute for International Affairs think tank in Tokyo. “It is a risk, but not for people just enjoying the Great Wall or the spiciness of Sichuan,” he said. In July, Liu Pengyu, spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in Washington, said the country “welcomes” US visitors and guarantees their “safety and legitimate rights and interests” under the law, including the freedom of exit. The US-China Business Council, which represents 270 companies, advises American executives to confirm their companies have no outstanding lawsuits, tax issues, disputes with suppliers or bribery-related matters before travelling to the country. The report also proposed steps to mitigate potential travel risks for executives, including pre-departure screening to ensure their company has no unresolved lawsuits or other issues that could draw scrutiny in China.

China travel risk for American citizens ‘unchanged’ despite exit bans: US trade group

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}The US-China Business Council says cases follow a pre-existing pattern and do not apply to most travellers

The US-China Business Council says cases follow a pre-existing pattern and do not apply to most travellers