China is tightening restrictions on overseas travel for top AI professionals at companies including Alibaba Group and DeepSeek, in a sign Beijing is escalating efforts to safeguard strategic technologies as competition with the U.S. intensifies.
Bloomberg News is reporting that authorities have begun requiring approval for overseas trips by individuals involved in advanced AI work deemed critical to national interests. Those affected reportedly include startup founders, researchers and executives in China’s fast-growing AI sector.
China has long imposed travel controls on personnel tied to sensitive industries, including state-owned enterprises and scientific research. Extending such measures to private sector AI firms marks a notable expansion of government oversight.
The move follows growing concern in Beijing over technology leaks and foreign acquisitions after Meta struck a deal last December to buy AI startup Manus, which had relocated to Singapore. In April, China blocked the transaction. While the startup is no longer in China, the country has ways to pressure Manus founders and several core team members who are Chinese nationals. Critics warn the new restrictions could hurt Chinese AI firms’ ability to recruit and retain globally minded talent.
Manus attracted attention in early 2025 after showcasing an autonomous AI agent that can perform complex tasks with limited human intervention. It can independently function as a junior analyst, developer or research assistant. Within months of launching, the startup hit over $100 million in annualized revenue, according to the media outlet.