Diplomatic Tensions Rise as Beijing Blocks U.S. Citizen's Departure

A U.S. Patent and Trademark Office employee has been blocked from leaving China after visiting in a personal capacity. The U.S. State Department is working to resolve the situation as tensions rise over exit bans used by Beijing, often due to civil, regulatory, or diplomatic disputes.

The diplomatic tensions between the U.S. and China have escalated as Beijing blocked a U.S. Patent and Trademark Office employee from leaving the country. The individual was in China on a personal visit, and the U.S. State Department is actively engaged in resolving the case.

The blockade stems from an undisclosed issue on the visa application, which reportedly failed to mention the individual's employment with the U.S. government. This incident highlights the ongoing friction between Washington and Beijing concerning regulatory and diplomatic matters.

In another related issue, Wells Fargo banker Chenyue Mao has also been restricted from leaving China due to her involvement in a criminal investigation. This has prompted U.S. banks to suspend employee travel to China, indicating growing caution among American corporations operating in the country.

(With inputs from agencies.)