China Restricts AI Leaders’ US Travel Due to Security Concerns
Chinese authorities are advising the country’s leading artificial intelligence experts and researchers to avoid traveling to the United States, according to a recent report by The Wall Street Journal. The move reflects growing concerns about the potential exposure of sensitive information and the risk of these individuals being used as bargaining chips in the ongoing US-China tensions.
A giant screen shows news footage of Deepseek Founder Liang Wenfeng and Tencent’s Pony Ma attending a symposium on private enterprises in Beijing, China on February 17, 2025.
Sources familiar with the matter told the Journal that Chinese authorities are worried that the nation’s AI advancements could be compromised or revealed by experts traveling overseas. Officials are also concerned that executives could be detained or otherwise leveraged in any negotiations with the US, a situation that mirrors the high-profile detention of a Huawei executive in Canada at the behest of Washington several years ago.
The US and China are currently engaged in a global competition in artificial intelligence, with both nations investing significantly in research and development. Chinese startup DeepSeek has recently unveiled AI models that claim to rival or even surpass leading US firms like OpenAI and Google, while also operating at a lower cost.
When asked for comment, neither the White House nor China’s State Council Information Office immediately responded to requests from Reuters.
The reported restrictions come as Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized the importance of national security during two recent meetings. On Friday, Xi told top Communist Party officials to prioritize improving China’s overall security, including that of its cybersecurity and artificial intelligence sectors. According to state media, Xi stated, “We should give top priority to defending the country’s political security.”
Last month, Xi met with some of the top leaders in China’s tech sector, urging them to “show their talent” and express confidence in China’s economic model and market.
The Journal also reported that Chinese executives are being instructed to report their travel plans before leaving for the US and to brief authorities about their activities and contacts upon their return.
In a sign of the policy’s impact, DeepSeek founder Liang Wenfeng reportedly declined to attend an AI summit in Paris in February. Furthermore, another founder of a major Chinese AI startup canceled a planned trip to the US last year after being told to do so by Beijing.
This decision highlights the growing concerns about data security and geopolitical tensions as the global competition in AI heats up. The restrictions reflect China’s determination to protect its technological assets and interests amidst these complexities.
