China to enforce new exit-entry rules that may bar travel for people tied to controlled technologies

China has released a new regulation on exit and entry administration that will take effect on Sept. 15, 2026, adding fresh attention to export controls and the movement of technical talent. Signed by Premier Li Qiang and issued as a State Council order, the 19-article regulation is described in the source report as the most important administrative rule in this area since the 2013 Exit and Entry Administration Law came into force. The provision drawing the most scrutiny allows relevant authorities, including commerce officials under the State Council, to stop Chinese citizens from leaving the country if they violate export control or technology import-export management rules and are deemed likely to endanger national industrial or technological security. The report says Chinese experts see the measure as aimed at sectors already under export control, including rare earth separation technology, electrolyte formulas for electric-vehicle batteries, and N-type solar cell technology. The timing also comes as the United States, Japan, and the European Union work to build alternative rare earth and battery supply chains in Australia, Brazil, and Africa.