Link: https://hrf.org/latest/risks-beyond-wrongdoing-traveling-to-china/

Archived

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On Sept. 15, 2026, China’s new Regulations on Exit and Entry Administration has entered into force. Although the regulations do not create a blanket new exit ban1 power over foreign visitors, they do further formalize a wider legal system in which the boundaries of prohibited conduct are difficult to anticipate and meaningful avenues for challenging government action are limited.

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HRF’s Tyranny Tracker classifies China as a fully authoritarian regime, with its immigration, public security, state security, and judicial authorities operating within the same system, led by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Formal procedures exist, but their application — particularly in politically sensitive or national security matters — is not subject to the independent scrutiny that travelers might expect in democratic jurisdictions.

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Travelers may face an exit ban not because they are accused of wrongdoing, but because restricting them creates leverage over another person, an investigation, or a foreign government.

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Relatives of people under investigation — including minors — may themselves be prevented from leaving. For example, Gao Zhen, a lawful US resident, was detained in China during a holiday trip, and his son, a US citizen, was also unable to leave due to an effective travel ban on Gao’s wife. Therefore, travel risk cannot be assessed solely by examining the traveler’s own conduct. Relatives and close associates of human rights defenders, dissidents, people sought by the Chinese government, or individuals involved in politically sensitive proceedings may have a higher risk exposure than ordinary travelers.

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The relational exposure is bidirectional. A traveler may attract scrutiny because of another person, but may also expose local residents or their relatives to risk through any meetings, communications, photographs, or retained records. Given the expansive number of plainclothed police and government officials and the PRC’s intense surveillance system, any contact can be easily identified and subsequently face questioning, coercion, or even detention. A foreign visitor’s successful departure does not, therefore, establish that the interaction caused no harm. This transferred risk is particularly acute in the Uyghur Region and Tibet, because overseas contact may itself be treated as a security indicator.

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Recommendations:

• Assess your risk profile. Cross-review travel advisories. Get comprehensive travel insurance.
• Register with your embassy or your government’s crisis notification service, inform them of the potential risk, and identify any available support. When available, designate a trusted emergency contact6.
• Prepare basic paperwork explaining the purpose of the trip, ideally with a home point of contact (and their phone number) who can validate that information, in case local police need third-party confirmation. Keep copies of documents such as your passport and travel itinerary.
• Typical communication channels (such as Instagram, X, WhatsApp, and Facebook) are all banned in China. Arrange an accessible alternative before traveling, and maintain communication with close contacts outside China throughout your trip.
• Notify your bank of your travel plans and ensure essential overseas payments (including any potential fines) can continue in the event of an unexpected, prolonged absence. Consider authorizing a trusted person to manage your account to avoid returning to closed bank accounts or damaged credit.
• If you plan to travel to the Uyghur Region or Tibet, carefully consider your trip and its timing.
• Identify the closest home-country embassy and consulate general. Keep a copy of their contact information on hand.
• Expect to have your phone checked at the border. Carefully decide which device to bring — ideally, a clean device or a “burner” phone, especially if you meet the criteria for elevated or acute risk exposure criteria in the framework.

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There is no expectation of privacy on mobile or other networks in the PRC, as internet and mobile service providers are legally required to provide intelligence and security services with on-demand access to data and networks. Adopt enhanced digital security measures before departure and throughout your trip [more recommendations are on the linked site].

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