China prevents Americans from leaving the country, including an American official

China Anié Tuesday that he is doing something bad because he would prevent “dozens” from Americans from leaving the country under a “exit ban” policy, including at least one American official.

Reports emerged on Monday afternoon that an American citizen, an employee of the trade department, was prohibited from leaving China and prevented from returning to the United States since his passport, credit card, mobile phone and iPad were seized on April 14, reported the New York Times.

The passport would have been returned to the individual a week later on April 22, although he was told that he was not allowed to leave China.

A sign from the Ministry of Commerce is exhibited at the Herbert C. Hoover Federal Building on June 9, 2025 in Washington, DC (Images Kevin Carter / Getty)

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The identity of the government official remains unknown, although a spokesperson for the State Department has confirmed to Fox News Digital that the individual is an employee of the US patent and brands office and went to China “personally”.

Although it is not clear if other representatives of the US government have been prohibited from leaving China, a spokesman for the Beijing Foreign Ministry Guo Jiakun, journalists told a press briefing on Tuesday that he had no additional details to share.

“China confirms the rule of law and manages entry and exit cases in accordance with the law,” he said.

In response to Fox News Digital Questions, the State Department said: “The Chinese government has, for many years, imposed prohibitions for leaving American citizens and other foreign nationals in China, often without clear and transparent resolution process.

“We follow these cases closely and have raised our concern concerning the Chinese authorities concerning the well-being of our citizens and have an impact on arbitrary exit prohibitions on our bilateral relations and urged them to immediately authorize American citizens to return home,” added a spokesperson.

Guo Jiakun, spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, talks to journalists on June 23, 2025 in Beijing, China. (Johannes NEUDECKER / Picture Alliance via Getty Images)

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In November 2024, the department published a level 2 travel notice for the Americans, considering traveling to China.

The opinion has issued a warning to “make increased caution” due to “the arbitrary application of Beijing of local laws, including in relation to exit prohibitions”.

A spokesman for the Chinese embassy in Washington, DC, said that they “did not” know “the details of the case, but added:” China still welcomes foreign citizens, including those of the United States, to come to China and guarantee their security and their legitimate rights in China in accordance with the law, including freedom of entry and exit.

“Meanwhile, foreign citizens in China should also respect and respect Chinese laws,” added the spokesperson.

Although the Universal Declaration of Human Rights has consecrated “right to freedom of movement”, which says “everyone has the right to leave any country, including their own, and to return to their country”, it is not absolute law, and nations can choose to hold individuals according to certain conditions, including problems of national security.

It is not known why the employee of the trade department was prevented from returning to the United States where his wife also lives, although he was apparently questioned by the Chinese intelligence authorities on his previous military service.

Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to sing the national anthem during the closing session of the National People’s Congress which was held in the great people of the people in Beijing on Monday, March 11, 2024. (AP photo / ng han guan)

The reports suggested that dozens of Americans have been prohibited from leaving China, in particular Wells Fargo Managing Director Chenyue Mao.

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Mao is the last business manager to be forbidden to leave China, which has become more and more common in recent years, which has prompted Wells Fargo to suspend all trips to China earlier this month.

The Wells Fargo banker would have been prevented from leaving China on his alleged link with a criminal investigation. How long she will have to stay in China is not clear.

Neither the Commerce Department nor Wells Fargo immediately answered questions from Fox News Digital concerning this report.