China restricts overseas travel for top AI professionals at private firms including Alibaba and DeepSeek

Government agencies have begun imposing travel restrictions on individuals involved in advanced AI work who are considered strategically important to the country, requiring them to obtain approval from relevant authorities before traveling overseas.

The restrictions target a mix of startup founders, researchers, and executives within the AI sphere at private firms, extending a long-standing practice Beijing has used on key personnel such as university researchers, nuclear scientists, and state firm executives.

The measures reflect China's effort to safeguard its technology and catch up to the U.S. in the AI sector.