zhōng guó

中国

chū rù jìng

出入境

xīn guī

新规

wèi hé

为何

shòu dào

受到

guān zhù

关注

China has announced new entry and exit management regulations, which will take effect on September 15.

The government says the new regulations are meant to protect national security and make border management more rule-based.

The regulations cover exit security, applications for entry and exit, restrictions on leaving the country, and intermediary services.

However, some legal experts worry that the new regulations expand the authority of administrative departments to stop people from leaving the country, and that some of the wording is not clear enough.

For example, if a person may affect the country’s industrial and technological security, they may be banned from leaving the country. In some cases, administrative departments may also not inform the person in advance.

Researchers and entrepreneurs in industries such as artificial intelligence and chips may be more greatly affected.

Experts also worry that provincial- or county-level departments can handle such matters, and that standards may differ from place to place.

Those involved may not learn that they cannot leave until they go through border control at the airport. They may also not know who made the decision or how to object.

Therefore, some people call this opaque way of management a “black hole.”