China’s new travel rules from Sept 15, and Mark Zuckerberg’s $2bn buy may be behind it

China’s new exit and entry rules took effect on September 15, giving Beijing legal power to stop citizens from leaving over export control or technology security violations. Exit bans run from six months to three years. The trigger is visible in the Meta-Manus case, where a blocked $2 billion acquisition left CEO Xiao Hong and senior management barred from travel. Tech workers and wealthy families face the tightest scrutiny.