China Implements Stricter Restrictions on Overseas Travel for Bankers and State Employees

Chinese civil servants and employees of state-linked enterprises are facing tighter constraints on private travel abroad and increased scrutiny of their foreign connections as part of Beijing's campaign against foreign influence. The measures include bans on overseas travel, stricter limits on trips' frequency and duration, onerous approval processes, and pre-departure confidentiality training. These restrictions are seen as part of President Xi Jinping's focus on national security and reducing opportunities for foreign espionage. The travel curbs are now filtering down to lower-level workers, including civil servants and state-enterprise employees. Chinese authorities are also mapping government and state-linked workers' personal and family ties to other countries. These measures reflect China's efforts to limit foreign influence and encourage citizens to participate in anti-espionage activities.