Chinese Exit Bans: American Executive Risks
As geopolitical friction and economic tension intensify, China is expanding its use of exit bans: a legal tool that can prevent both citizens and foreign nationals from leaving the country. Recent high-profile incidents involving American professionals are fueling concerns among multinational businesses and security professionals.
Exit bans are official restrictions that prohibit individuals from departing China. These restrictions can be:
Court-ordered, usually tied to civil lawsuits or financial disputes.
Administrative, used during criminal investigations or even if a person is tangentially related to one.
Opaque and unannounced, often only discovered when the individual is stopped at the border.
Two alarming cases recently reached international news, both involving U.S. citizens attempting to leave China. Senior U.S. banker, Chenyue Mao, was barred from leaving China in July 2025. Mao has no known direct operations in China, but she had longstanding ties through her work in international factoring and was prominent in global trade and finance. Chinese authorities stated she was “involved in a criminal case,” but gave no further detail. In response, Wells Fargo suspended all employee travel to China. Days later, it emerged a U.S. commerce department employee visiting family in Chengdu was subject to an exit ban in mid-April 2025. Their devices and passport were seized and were reportedly interrogated by security services. The U.S. Embassy helped resolve the case.
This evolving landscape has serious implications in business confidence. Executives caught in bans report mental distress, reputational damage, and career disruption. Exit bans also no longer apply to only individuals with legal issues; anyone loosely connected to a dispute could be at risk. Chinese local governments have carried out “long-range fishing” practices, in which local governments target visiting executives for unpaid fines or leverage. Victims often receive no official documentation or recourse and may wait months before a resolution.
Once only a niche concern, exit bans are now a significant threat to executive risk management, and exemplify how state tools can be used unpredictably and asymmetrically when foreign talent, money, or leverage are in play.
How Concentric Recommends you Stay Safe
Concentric’s Global Intelligence team recommends the following steps to stay safe and ensure the protection of yourself and your business:
Pre-Travel Risk Screening: Vet all personnel and activities for exposure to civil disputes, business litigation, or unresolved contracts involving Chinese entities. Review any direct or indirect ties with sensitive sectors or state-adjacent organizations.
Implement and Follow Travel Protocols: Avoid travel to China unless absolutely necessary for executives in financial, government-affiliated, or security-adjacent industries. Use clean devices, limit data exposure, and employ travel cloaking protocols where appropriate and in a discrete manner when possible.
Enroll in Legal and Diplomatic Safeguards: Register with the U.S. Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) or equivalent. Consider retaining Chinese legal counsel ahead of any visit. Establish emergency escalation pathways with consulates and private diplomatic advisors.
Contingency Planning: Plan exit ban scenarios and have immediate response plans ready. Consider insurance strategies to protect against prolonged detainment inside Chinese territory.
Concentric is Here to Help
Concentric’s team of experts are here to protect you, your company, and your employees in today’s threat environment amidst the backdrop of intensifying geopolitical tensions between the U.S. and China. Please do not hesitate to contact us. Our team is standing by to assist you with:
Risk Consulting Services: Concentric leverages its team of consultants and intelligence analysts to identify risks and threats facing executives, families, and organizations. We equip our clients with strategic information, and through seamless collaboration with our security operations teams, we offer recommendations that empower our clients to make informed security decisions. Our consulting services range from Site Risk Assessments to Online Sentiment Analysis Reports.
Travel Risk Assessments for Potentially Volatile Areas: Additionally, Concentric’s team of dedicated analysts can author periodic updates and travel risk assessments to help you plan for, and monitor any developments during any upcoming travel or event attendance.
Implementing Security Protocols: Executive protection agents can protect you, your company, and assets, and provide you with real-time threat monitoring while you travel.