China is strengthening measures to prevent its top artificial intelligence experts from leaving the country as global technological competition intensifies. Researchers, entrepreneurs, and executives in the private sector are increasingly facing travel restrictions, while many leading figures in the AI industry now require government approval before traveling abroad.
The strategy highlights how Beijing now views artificial intelligence not only as an economic driver, but also as a matter of national security. Authorities are aiming to reduce the loss of talent as worldwide demand grows for specialists capable of developing and training advanced AI models.
According to recent reports, the restrictions intensified following the investigation into Meta’s proposed acquisition of the startup Manus in a deal valued at $2 billion. Chinese authorities temporarily barred the company’s co-founders from leaving the country while regulators review possible violations of foreign investment rules.
The AI race between China and the United States has become increasingly competitive. Data from Stanford’s index shows that the performance gap between the leading AI models from both countries has narrowed significantly in recent years. Although the United States still leads in model quality and high-impact patents, China is rapidly advancing in scientific publications, academic citations, and patent volume.
In addition, Beijing is expected to increase oversight of foreign investment in its major technology companies. Firms such as Moonshot AI, StepFun, and ByteDance may soon require official approval before accepting U.S. capital.
These actions are part of a broader strategy that also includes export controls on rare earth materials and restrictions on the use of foreign AI chips in state-funded data centers.