U.S. Bank Exec, Gov’t Worker TRAPPED in China!

China has imposed exit bans this July on two U.S. nationals—a Commerce Department patent official and a Wells Fargo banker—sparking international concern over arbitrary travel restrictions and diplomatic tensions.

At a Glance

•  A U.S. Patent and Trademark Office employee is barred from leaving China after traveling there privately and failing to disclose government employment on their visa.

•  Chenyue Mao, a Wells Fargo managing director based in Atlanta, faces an exit ban tied to an unspecified criminal investigation.

•  In response, Wells Fargo has suspended all employee travel to China.

•  Exit bans are increasingly used in China in civil disputes or politically sensitive cases, with U.S. officials decrying the practice as coercive.

•  The U.S. State Department is actively working to resolve both cases, elevating travel warnings to reflect the growing risk.

Dual Cases Expose Arbitrary Exit Ban System

China’s Foreign Ministry confirmed both bans but provided little detail, stating that Mao is “involved in a criminal case” and that the government worker must cooperate with investigators. Chinese officials insist these are standard legal matters. However, the U.S. State Department and human rights groups view the measures as opaque tactics used without due process, often to exert leverage over American travelers.

Watch a report: China bans Wells Fargo banker from leaving the country YouTube

Ripple Effects for Global Business and Policy

Wells Fargo’s travel freeze signals heightened corporate caution, mirroring warnings from others operating in China. Experts advise vetting staff with dual nationality, government affiliations, or sensitive industry links. Policymakers are assessing whether to elevate travel advisories further or pursue diplomatic channels for resolution. With geopolitical tensions rising, these exit bans threaten to reshape both corporate travel policies and U.S.–China engagement strategies.