In a significant and controversial move, Chinese authorities have enforced a policy requiring teachers and public-sector employees to surrender their passports, a decision that aims to restrict international travel and limit foreign influence. This initiative, framed as “personal travel abroad management,” is part of President Xi Jinping’s broader agenda to exert greater control over Chinese citizens’ exposure to global ideas, especially those in educational roles.
The passport surrender policy is an extension of long-standing regulations first introduced in 2003, which were originally designed to limit travel for mid- and high-ranking government officials as part of China’s anti-corruption drive. Now, this system has been expanded to include teachers, professors, and other employees in state-run institutions such as schools and universities, giving authorities increased oversight on their international movements.
Public sector employees in various regions, including Sichuan, Hubei, and Anhui provinces, have already been instructed to hand over their passports, with reports indicating that the measure has been steadily rolled out in recent months. While the policy technically allows employees to apply for permission to travel abroad, many believe that such requests are unlikely to be approved.
One teacher from Sichuan province expressed frustration with the new system, telling The Financial Times: “If we want to travel abroad, we have to apply to the city education bureau, but I don’t think it will be approved.”
This tightening of travel restrictions is viewed as part of a broader strategy by the Chinese government to limit the flow of foreign ideas and culture, particularly among those in influential positions, such as educators. It signals a growing emphasis on ensuring that Chinese citizens, especially those shaping young minds, are less exposed to global influences that may challenge state narratives or governance.
Critics argue that the policy reflects the Chinese government’s increasing control over civil society and signals a worrying trend toward isolationism, particularly in sectors like education, where intellectual exchange is vital. The policy also raises concerns over the rights of public sector workers, many of whom now face significant limitations on their personal freedoms under the guise of state management.
As China continues to tighten its grip on various aspects of civil life, the international community is watching closely to see how this passport policy—and its broader implications—may impact the country’s educational and diplomatic engagement with the rest of the world.
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