[News] China Reportedly Tightens Overseas Travel Rules for AI Talent at Private Firms Like Alibaba and DeepSeek

China is reportedly increasing scrutiny of overseas travel by top AI professionals. According to Bloomberg, citing sources, authorities are limiting international travel by leading AI talent at private firms including Alibaba and DeepSeek, requiring approval from relevant authorities before overseas trips and signaling an escalation in efforts to safeguard domestic technological capabilities.

Notably, while Beijing has long imposed travel restrictions on key personnel at state-owned firms, extending such measures to private companies appears far less common, the report adds.

Authorities are reportedly placing individuals on restriction lists based on their strategic importance to China rather than job title or employer, underscoring how top AI engineers are increasingly viewed as national assets. However, the report notes that such measures could make it more difficult for Chinese AI firms to attract and retain talent.

China Tightens Oversight of Cross Border AI Deals

The latest travel restrictions appear to align with China’s broader push to strengthen oversight of strategic technologies and AI-related assets. Reuters reported last month that Chinese authorities ordered U.S. tech giant Meta to unwind its acquisition of an AI startup Manus. Bloomberg adds that Manus, an AI firm originally founded in China, later relocated to Singapore.

Reuters said the move by China’s National Development and Reform Commission underscores Beijing’s determination to prevent U.S. firms from acquiring Chinese AI talent and intellectual property, as Washington continues efforts to restrict Chinese tech companies’ access to advanced U.S. chips.

Analysts cited by Reuters added that the unusual decision to unwind a completed deal highlights Beijing’s efforts to assert jurisdiction over cross-border transactions involving Chinese assets, shareholders, or technology under its national security review framework.

The measures may also extend to restrictions on the movement of key AI personnel. Reuters reported that Manus co-founders, CEO Xiao Hong and chief scientist Ji Yichao, were reportedly summoned to Beijing for meetings with regulators in March and were later barred from leaving the country.

Currently, according to Bloomberg, citing sources, Manus’ co-founders are exploring options to satisfy Beijing’s demand to unwind Meta’s controversial takeover, including raising around US$1 billion (S$1.3 billion) from external investors to buy back the Chinese-founded AI firm. The report adds that the three founders are discussing a funding round at a valuation matching or exceeding the more than US$2 billion Meta paid, and may contribute personal funds to finance the remainder. If pursued, Manus could be restructured as a Chinese joint venture backed by those investors ahead of a potential Hong Kong IPO.

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