China Tightens Travel Rules for Top AI Researchers

Chinese authorities have placed new travel restrictions on the country's top AI researchers, startup founders, and executives at private firms. Some of the industry's most prominent figures are now required to seek government approval before traveling abroad.

The measures reflect Beijing's effort to limit the outflow of AI talent amid rising global demand for researchers who can train and refine AI models. In March 2025, the Wall Street Journal reported that officials had advised top AI founders and researchers to avoid travel to the United States.

Restrictions reportedly intensified after Beijing began reviewing the Manus-Meta transaction. Chinese authorities have barred Manus' two co-founders from leaving the country while regulators examine whether Meta's $2 billion acquisition violates foreign investment rules, according to the Financial Times.

The co-founders are exploring ways to meet Beijing's demand to unwind the deal, including raising about $1 billion from outside investors to repurchase the company.

China also plans to require government approval before certain AI companies accept U.S. capital. Firms named in reports include Moonshot AI, StepFun, and ByteDance, Bloomberg reported in April. Earlier steps include two rounds of export controls in 2025 on 14 rare earth materials and a ban on state-funded data centers using foreign AI chips.