U.S. Government Employee Prevented from Leaving China, Says Washington

A U.S. government employee from the Patent and Trademark Office has been barred from leaving China after traveling there for personal reasons, due to an “exit ban,” Washington confirmed. The U.S. is closely monitoring the case and engaging with Chinese officials. Reports say the man, a Chinese-American citizen, was detained in April in Chengdu for allegedly threatening China’s national security. This follows Beijing’s similar action against a U.S. banking executive. Tensions between the U.S. and China continue amid accusations of espionage, including a recent case where a Chinese-born U.S. researcher pleaded guilty to stealing sensitive military-related trade secrets.