China’s New Exit Rules Take Effect, Raising Concerns Over Electronic Data Checks

The new rules cover applications for exit and entry documents, verification of travelers’ identities and reasons for travel, and circumstances under which the regime can restrict a person from leaving the country.

One provision allows relevant authorities to require individuals to provide “documents, materials and electronic data, and other information,” prompting concerns among some travelers that personal communications, files and business information could be subject to inspection.

Chinese travelers and airport staffers spoke to The Epoch Times about the issue on condition of anonymity out of fear of reprisal.

A traveler at Shanghai Pudong International Airport who frequently travels between Shanghai and Hong Kong, surnamed Zhao, told The Epoch Times she encountered no unusual checks when leaving mainland China.

“I didn’t notice anything unusual when I passed through. Maybe it’s because I used the electronic channel, so I didn’t need to have my documents checked manually,” she said.

A Shanghai airport staffer surnamed He told The Epoch Times the implementation of the measures began before the regulations formally took effect.

“The new regulations have already been implemented internally for a long time,” he said. “At the border inspection windows, first-time travelers leaving the country are checked more carefully. Customs will randomly check passengers’ phones and computers.”

He said border officers appeared to be asking travelers more questions on the morning of Sept. 15.

Travelers Concerned About Phone Searches

Concerns over electronic-device inspections have also surfaced among Chinese travelers.

Another traveler, surnamed Yao, who arrived in Hong Kong from Shanghai on Sept. 14, told The Epoch Times that Chinese border officers have previously conducted spot checks of travelers’ phones during inspections, but the new regulations raised questions about how broadly authorities could use the provision allowing them to request electronic data.

“I now check the pictures on my phone every time before entering or leaving the country to see whether there are any sensitive photos, and I uninstall apps such as Facebook and X to avoid getting into trouble. I also have to prepare explanations,” Yao said.

The regulations do not specify in their text the circumstances under which border officials may require travelers to provide electronic data.

At Beijing Capital International Airport, a staff member told The Epoch Times the overall situation was also normal on Sept. 15, although the number of passengers departing through Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 appeared lower than usual.

“These days, it feels like there are fewer people leaving the country than before,” the staffer said. “I heard that after the new regulations took effect on Sept. 15, quite a few people chose to leave through other airports because they were worried that Beijing customs would be more strict.”

National Security and Exit Restrictions 

The new regulations go beyond routine border procedures and include provisions related to national security and export controls.

Under Article 4, Chinese citizens who violate export-control or technology-import and export-management rules in ways that could endanger national industrial or technological security may be barred from leaving China by relevant authorities.

A Shanghai lawyer surnamed Huang told The Epoch Times the regulations reflect the broader emphasis by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) on national security.

“The legislative thinking behind the new exit and entry management regulations is consistent with the overall national security concept proposed by the CCP in recent years, and the relevant measures are used to safeguard the current regime,” Huang said.

“One characteristic of an authoritarian system is that it fears its power being threatened. Whether they are regulations or measures issued by the CCP, they are all defensive tools for the regime.

“Terms such as export controls, technology controls, and national security can ultimately be implemented as restrictions on people’s entry and exit, preventing challenges to its governing power.”

The Chinese regime has previously rejected claims that the new rules would result in a broad tightening of restrictions on everyday Chinese people leaving the country, describing such interpretations as a “misreading” of the regulations.

Ye Zilong contributed to this report.