American government staff member restricted from departing China, according to the State Department | Updates

A US government employee from the US Patent and Trademark Office was banned from leaving China while on a personal visit, according to the US Department of State. The employee was subject to an exit ban during their time in China. The State Department stated that they are prioritizing the safety and security of American citizens and are in communication with Chinese officials to resolve the matter. The incident reportedly occurred after the employee failed to disclose their employment with the US government on a visa application. The Chinese Embassy in Washington DC stated that they have no details to share on the case and that entry and exit affairs are handled according to the law. The incident comes amid ongoing tensions between the US and China over accusations of espionage and interference in each other’s affairs. The US Department of Justice has also stated that a Chinese-born US researcher has pleaded guilty to stealing trade secrets.

Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/7/22/us-government-employee-barred-from-leaving-china-washington-says?traffic_source=rss