China has recently made headlines by imposing exit restrictions on not only its citizens but also foreign nationals. This ban on leaving the country has caught the attention of many, especially foreign trade lobbyists. The scope of the ban has been continuously increasing, with even foreign officials coming under its ambit.
According to a recent report by the rights group Safeguard Defenders, since President Xi Jinping took power in China in 2012, the law has been expanded to ban people from leaving the country. This report also reveals that 15 laws related to exit restrictions have been passed and implemented in China.
It is interesting to note that the Chinese government is increasing the scope of exit restrictions at a time when it is trying to attract foreign investment and tourism by opening the country fully. However, this move has raised concerns among foreign nationals who are afraid of being trapped in China due to the restrictions.
The Rise of Exit Restrictions in China
From 2018 to 2023, five new laws have been enacted, and arbitrary changes have also been made in the existing laws. All these laws allow the Chinese government to impose withdrawal restrictions on anyone. The government can find any reason to prevent anyone from leaving the country, as mentioned by Chinese rights activist Xiang Li.
The ban is not only imposed on those involved in criminal activities but also on those who are facing financial issues, such as not depositing dues. The rights group Safeguard Defenders reports that Chinese citizens, rights activists, advocates, and minority Uyghur Muslims trapped in financial matters have been banned from leaving the country.
The Increase in Court Cases
According to an analysis by Reuters, there has been an eight-fold increase in the number of court cases related to exit sanctions between 2016 and 2022. Reuters found that most of the cases of preventing people from leaving the country were not criminal, but civil. These cases were not related to political or national security, and no foreign official or citizen was involved.
The Chinese Government’s Response
When questioned about the matter, China’s Ministry of Public Security did not respond. This lack of response has raised concerns among foreign nationals about the transparency and accountability of the Chinese government.
The widespread use of the ban on exit from China reflects President Xi Jinping’s tough security measures, according to rights activists. Xiang Li claims that there is no rule of law in China, and the law is used to serve the interests of the Communist Party.
Conclusion
The Chinese government’s imposition of exit restrictions on both its citizens and foreign nationals has raised concerns among foreign trade lobbyists and rights activists. While the Chinese government is trying to attract foreign investment and tourism by opening the country fully, the scope of exit restrictions is increasing continuously. The lack of transparency and accountability on the part of the Chinese government has also raised concerns about the rule of law in China.
It is imperative that the Chinese government takes steps to address these concerns and ensures that exit restrictions are not imposed arbitrarily on individuals. This will not only help in attracting foreign investment and tourism but also improve the country’s image on the global stage.
