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US Gov’t Employee Barred from Leaving China Amid Rising Tensions
A US govt employee has been hit with an exit ban in China while visiting family. Washington urges swift resolution as tensions over espionage and security flare again.
ND
by News Desk
2025-07-22
US Gov’t Employee Barred from Leaving China Amid Rising Tensions

The United States government has confirmed that a Department of Commerce employee has been barred from leaving China, raising fresh diplomatic concerns amid ongoing US-China tensions.

According to the US Department of State, the individual works for the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and was travelling in a personal capacity when they were subjected to an “exit ban.” The identity of the employee has not been disclosed.

“The Department of State has no higher priority than the safety and security of American citizens,” a spokesperson said Monday. “We are tracking this case very closely and are engaged with Chinese officials to resolve the situation as quickly as possible.”

The development follows a report by The Washington Post, which cited anonymous sources saying the employee is a Chinese-American man who was detained after failing to disclose his US government employment on his visa application.

Citing unnamed sources, the South China Morning Post also reported that the man, a naturalised US citizen, was detained in Chengdu, Sichuan, in April on suspicion of involvement in actions considered harmful to China’s national security.

The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, when asked, said they had “no details to share.” Spokesperson Guo Jiakun stated that China “handles entry and exit affairs in accordance with the law.”

Second Exit Ban in One Week

This is the second exit ban involving a US citizen confirmed by Beijing in recent days. On Monday, China’s Foreign Ministry acknowledged that Chenyue Mao, a Wells Fargo managing director based in Atlanta, was also barred from leaving due to an unspecified criminal investigation.

These developments have sparked concerns among US officials and businesses, especially as China and the US continue to accuse each other of espionage, trade secret theft, and interference in domestic matters.

Trade Secrets, Espionage, and Retaliation?

The incident coincides with the US Department of Justice’s announcement that a Chinese-American researcher, Chenguang Gong, has pleaded guilty to stealing sensitive trade secrets, including infrared sensor blueprints used to detect nuclear missile launches.

Gong reportedly transferred over 3,600 files to personal devices and had previously traveled to China to seek military technology funding.

Observers warn that these back-to-back revelations of exit bans, arrests, and espionage point to deepening mistrust between Washington and Beijing — a situation that could further chill already fragile diplomatic relations.

Outlook

While the State Department has pledged efforts to secure the safe return of the detained employee, analysts believe this case may take time to resolve, especially as both nations continue to link legal actions with strategic rivalry.

 
Tagged:

NationalSecurity

Espionage

USChina

ExitBan

USPTO

TradeSecrets
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