A U.S. Department of Commerce employee has been banned from leaving China by authorities in Beijing, according to the State Department. The government employee’s restricted travel was confirmed after new information about a Wells Fargo banker, Mao Chenyue, who also faces an exit ban.
The employee, whose name remains unknown, had his passport, credit card, cellphone, and iPad seized by Chinese officials while traveling on a personal trip in Chengdu in April. His documents were returned on April 22, but he was informed that he could not leave the country.
Wells Fargo banker Mao Chenyue is facing criminal charges and has been subjected to an exit ban, according to Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiaku. The bank confirmed it is working closely with authorities to resolve the situation and allow Chenyue’s return to the U.S.
The incident comes at a sensitive time in relations between Beijing and Washington, as the two sides agreed on the framework of a new trade deal to end a trade war in late June. China faces an August 12 deadline to strike a new trade agreement with the U.S.
The restrictions highlight the risks for American companies doing business in China, which have already faced challenges due to increased scrutiny and enforcement of local laws. The State Department advises Americans traveling in China to exercise caution and be aware that exit bans can be imposed without fair and transparent process under the law.
Source: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/china-exit-ban-american-us-chamber-commerce-employee-wells-fargo-banker