China has enhanced its travel restrictions for a wide range of public sector workers. Prior, it was limited only to senior official, the rules now apply to teachers, healthcare workers, civil servants, and even retirees.
This new policy requires many to surrender their passports and seek travel approval for personal or professional trips. In many cities, international vacations have been banned entirely. An internal memo clarifies that failing to comply with the guidelines will result in disciplinary actions or dismissal.
In an instance, a literature teacher shared that her contract clearly states that any unauthorised travel could lead to termination. Similarly, a nurse stated that she would require a four-layered approval to get permission to leave the country. Only Shanghai allows such applicants, though even there, those with family living abroad may be barred from law enforcement jobs.
Some institutions require their staff to submit all their past international travel, dating back to 2018.
These restrictions are being enforced primarily due to three reasons: national security, political discipline and cost-cutting. Xi Jinping’s push for ideological control is also a key reason.
In 2013, the country banned ‘wasteful spending’ to ensure financial discipline. Even the self-funded trips are seen as ‘excessive.’
The law enforcement varies from province to province, but generally includes mandatory passport submission, written travel requests and detailed disclosures about past travel to relatives abroad. Pre-travel briefings are also becoming a common aspect.
However, there is no visible resistance or protests, workers report frustration and confusion as China promotes foreign investments and tourism but bans its own citizens from freely travelling the world.
