Beijing, September 17: Human Rights Watch (HRW) has raised serious concerns over a new Chinese government decree that gives administrative authorities broad powers to prevent people from leaving the country.
The decree, which came into effect on September 15, allows authorities to impose exit restrictions on both Chinese nationals and foreigners for a range of reasons related to what the government describes as national security and risk.
HRW said the provisions contain what it described as ill-defined grounds that could enable authorities to arbitrarily restrict international travel. The organisation argued that, under international human rights law, restrictions on the right to leave a country must be necessary and proportionate to legitimate objectives.
“The Chinese government is tightening its rules to decide arbitrarily who can and cannot leave China,” said Maya Wang, Deputy Asia Director at HRW, adding that human rights defenders and ethnic minorities have increasingly faced restrictions and scrutiny over international travel.
HRW also pointed to cases involving foreign nationals. It said that in July 2025, Chinese authorities prevented a US federal employee and a Wells Fargo bank executive from leaving China, despite neither having been charged with a criminal offence.
Tighter Exit Controls
According to HRW, Chinese citizens had generally gained easier access to overseas travel after 2002, when China’s Ministry of Public Security introduced an “on demand” system aimed at simplifying passport applications.
However, the rights organisation said China has tightened exit controls over the past decade, particularly affecting religious minorities and human rights defenders.
HRW also highlighted restrictions imposed on Uyghurs in Xinjiang. Although some Uyghurs have subsequently been permitted to travel abroad, the organisation said significant restrictions remain following the confiscation of previously issued passports by Xinjiang authorities in 2016.
Concerns Over Rights and Freedoms
HRW criticised the broad legal provisions allowing authorities to restrict the departure of both citizens and foreigners. It said restrictions based on vague grounds could conflict with international human rights standards.
The organisation further warned that expanded exit controls could have wider implications for freedom of expression and academic freedom, potentially encouraging greater self-censorship among people who fear being prevented from leaving China.
HRW called on concerned governments to press Beijing to reconsider the new rules and support citizens affected by what it described as arbitrary travel restrictions.
