中国国务院发布的新出入境管理规定将于9月15日开始实施，因规定中频繁使用"可能"一词而引发广泛关注[1]。新规的措辞标准模糊且具有高度主观性，包括"可能危害国家安全""可能危害国家产业安全、技术安全"等表述[1]，引发舆论对其可能被滥用和限制言论自由的担忧[1]。
新规大幅扩大了限制出境的权力范围和主体。相比以往针对特定群体的限制措施，新规将限制出境对象扩大到全体离境人员，并将权力下放到省级政府、商务部、县级主管机构等多个层级，这些机构都可以以"可能危害"为由禁止当事人出境[1]。此外，新规要求提供"电子数据等信息"，引发对个人隐私的质疑[1]。
在程序透明度方面，新规第六条规定可向当事人书面告知被禁止出境的理由，但"也可以不告知当事人"，理由是"有可能影响国家安全、刑事案件侦查等"[1]。与此形成对比的是，自2007年《中华人民共和国护照法》实施以来不到20年间，中国公民无需条件即可申办护照出国[1]。新规还加强了对留学、移民、签证中介机构的监管[1]。
China's State Council has unveiled revised exit-entry management regulations that will take effect on September 15, drawing criticism for their ambiguous language and broad enforcement authority.[1] The new rules introduce frequent use of the term "may," including phrases such as "may endanger national security" and "may harm national industrial or technological security," to justify restricting citizens from leaving the country.[1]
The regulations substantially expand restrictions beyond specific groups to cover all departing citizens and delegate enforcement power to provincial governments, commerce departments, and county-level authorities, each of which can now prohibit individuals from exiting based on perceived potential harm to national interests.[1] Article Four specifies that Chinese citizens engaged in illegal activities abroad or those who endanger national security and interests face exit bans lasting six months to three years from their return date.[1] Article Six permits authorities to inform individuals in writing of the reasons for restrictions but "may also choose not to inform" the person if disclosure could "potentially affect national security" or ongoing criminal investigations.[1]
The shift represents a significant departure from nearly two decades of relatively open travel policy.[1] Since the implementation of China's Passport Law in 2007, Chinese citizens have been able to apply for passports without preconditions to travel abroad.[1] The new regulations also strengthen oversight of study-abroad, immigration, and visa intermediary agencies, and require submission of "electronic data and other information," raising fresh questions about personal privacy protections.[1]