Exit Controls

One of the longstanding differences between free and Communist societies is this: it's very easy to leave a free society, you can just go whenever you want. It is somewhat difficult to get in, however, as everyone wants to come in. 

With a Communist society, it's the other way around.

China will tighten its exit-entry rules from September 15 to stop experienced engineers from leaking knowhow in industries subject to export controls and deter tourists from visiting “high-risk” nations such as Japan.

The State Council’s new regulation, which spans 19 articles and was announced on July 31, sets up a coordinated system to warn citizens of overseas risks, verify the purpose of each exit-entry application and tighten restrictions on both citizens and foreigners....

“‘May endanger’ is one of the key phrasings in the regulation,” says a Shandong-based columnist writing under the pen name “Xinghe Duke.”

“It means the authorities won’t wait until harm is done, but they will take precautionary measures. The wording of ‘Decided by the commerce authority and other departments’ means there is a lawful process. ‘Barred from leaving’ does not mean arrest; it just means the targeted person cannot leave the country.”

You're not under arrest, comrade. You just can't leave. 

The Taiwan government is warning its own citizens -- which the PRC considers subjects of its authority -- not to visit the mainland.

The new rules have prompted Taiwan, which Beijing views as its own territory, to warn its people to take extra care on visits to China, which considers people from Taiwan to be Chinese citizens.

The new rules “legalize” previously legally unfounded border control practices and boost the discretionary authority of enforcement agencies... 

China has dismissed those concerns, saying the rules provide better legal protection for Taiwanese.