China confirms exit ban on US exec; high-speed rail to get upgrade: SCMP daily highlights

From a US citizen being barred from leaving China to Beijing slamming EU banking sanctions, here’s a round-up from today’s coverage

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Chenyue Mao, an Atlanta-based executive at the Wells Fargo and a US citizen, has been banned from leaving China. In response, Wells Fargo has suspended all business travel to China. Photo: Handout

Published: 9:15pm, 21 Jul 2025Updated: 9:43pm, 21 Jul 2025

Catch up on some of SCMP’s biggest China stories of the day. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing.

1. China says Wells Fargo exec banned from leaving country due to ‘criminal case’

China has confirmed that it barred a senior Wells Fargo executive from leaving the country, saying it banned her exit because of a “criminal case” investigation.

2. Sean Stein on why US businesses are walking a tightrope to stay in China

The US-China Business Council president says even in a fraught trade environment, companies cannot ignore the value of the Chinese market.

3. China vows high-speed rail upgrade after years of record-breaking expansion

A volunteer holds leaflets as he stands near a 600km High Speed Maglev model showcasing at the National Railway Test Center during a tour by delegates to the World Congress on High-Speed Rail held in Beijing on July 9, 2025. Photo: AP

After record levels of expansion over the past few years, China’s high-speed rail network – already the world’s largest – is set for further upgrades as Beijing pledges to improve services and lower logistics costs.

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