China's new travel rules unsettle tech giants and talent

For decades, China has faced accusations from the United States and the European Union of stealing their technology.

From robotics and advanced semiconductors to precision engineering and automotive parts, Chinese firms have recruited top engineers, allegedly spied on Western rivals and been linked to cyberattacks aimed at gaining access to valuable trade secrets.

It is perhaps ironic, then, that China is now taking steps to prevent its own high-end technologies and talent from escaping abroad.

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Last week, new entry-exit rules took effect , giving Chinese authorities the power to stop engineers, founders and other specialists from leaving the country if their expertise in batteries, rare earths or artificial intelligence (AI) is judged a threat to "industrial and technological security."

Recently, China has also tightened outbound-investment rules, cracked down on Chinese nationals holding their wealth offshore and restricted the posting of technical staff overseas.

Henry Gao, a law professor at Singapore Management University (SMU), believes that, taken together, the curbs "offer a rare glimpse into the true state of China's economy."

"These measures suggest that Beijing is deeply concerned about economic weakness and substantial capital outflows," Gao told DW, adding that authorities are also determined to stop "entrepreneurs and skilled personnel from leaving the country."