China bars US Commerce Dept. worker from leaving amid national security, trade tensions

China bars US Commerce Dept. worker from leaving amid national security, trade tensions

• U.S. citizen working for the U.S. Commerce Department

China has barred a U.S. citizen working for the U.S. Commerce Department from leaving the country for several months, according to media reports (Washington Post, New York Times, South China Morning Post all carried the info on Sunday). The individual, a Chinese-American employee of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, had traveled to China to visit family but was detained upon arrival in Chengdu in April.

Reports suggest the exit ban stems from his failure to disclose his government employment on a visa application, with Chinese authorities citing national security concerns. Though details remain unclear, the man has since traveled to Beijing with a U.S. official.

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