According to a new Wired report, traveling to China for business in 2025 has become a complicated and often risky proposition, especially for Americans. While flights are running and business visas are being issued, the atmosphere is far from what it was in the 2000s when China welcomed international business with open arms. Now, growing mistrust, tight surveillance, and geopolitical tensions are making trips to China far more difficult to navigate than before.
Why the Climate Has Changed
The shift began after Xi Jinping came to power in 2012. Under his leadership, China grew more authoritarian, with anti-corruption campaigns, tightened control of the internet, and mass surveillance. When Donald Trump took office in 2016 and began a series of tariff wars with China, relations declined further. Since then, mutual suspicion has only deepened. Today, China remains vital to global supply chains and innovation, but American business travelers are often viewed with wariness, not welcome.
Isaac Stone Fish, CEO of Strategy Risks, notes that while official statements sound optimistic, “in private, people are a lot more pessimistic, and traveling to China on a business trip is more challenging than it used to be.”
Common Problems Travelers Might Face
1. Arbitrary Detention or Exit Bans
Americans visiting China today must consider the risk of being detained or banned from leaving the country. U.S. citizens like Kai Li and Mark Swidan have spent years imprisoned under charges such as espionage and drug trafficking. Exit bans, often used as leverage in business or political disputes, can trap travelers without formal detention. Even senior executives from companies like Kroll and Nomura have been caught in these measures.
2. Pervasive Government Surveillance
China has over 700 million security cameras, many equipped with facial recognition. Phone tracking, listening devices, and monitoring of digital activity are widespread. A mobile security firm, iVerify, found China has access to mobile networks in at least 35 countries. This makes privacy nearly impossible and leaves travelers’ communications and devices vulnerable.
3. Legal System Uncertainty
China’s legal system is opaque and unpredictable, especially for foreigners. Business disputes can lead to sudden restrictions on movement, as seen with Wells Fargo executive Mao Chenyue, who was recently blocked from leaving China during a criminal investigation. A U.S. government employee was similarly held in the country for weeks during a personal visit.
4. Increased Scrutiny of Ethnic Chinese and Dual Nationals
Chinese authorities often regard ethnic Chinese—even if they are American citizens—as their own nationals. This has led to exit bans or detention of family members to pressure individuals under investigation to return. Gabriel Wildau of Teneo explains, “We’ve had cases where the family members of Chinese people who are fugitives are held as sort of hostages.”
5. Business Barriers and Hostile Bureaucracy
U.S. companies now face more obstacles operating in China. Licensing delays, contract rejections, and pressure from local competitors are common. As Stone Fish points out, there is now a “less welcoming business environment for multinational companies,” especially those in sensitive sectors like defense, aerospace, or data analytics.
Examples of Real-World Incidents
- A Wells Fargo banker, Mao Chenyue, was barred from leaving China and told to cooperate with an investigation.
- A U.S. government employee on a private trip was not allowed to return home for weeks.
- A Japanese pharmaceutical executive was sentenced to over three years in prison for espionage.
- Americans like Kai Li and Mark Swidan remain imprisoned under serious charges with limited transparency or appeal.
Why Americans Still Go
Despite the risks, American businesspeople continue to travel to China. High-level delegations, including executives from Boeing and FedEx, have made recent trips, often organized through the U.S.-China Business Council. Leaders like Nvidia’s Jensen Huang and JPMorgan’s Jamie Dimon have also visited, citing China’s critical role in global competitiveness.
Sean Stein, president of the U.S.-China Business Council, emphasized that “companies have no choice but to have some operations in China,” citing its unmatched innovation and integrated R&D chains. He added, “The tariffs were set to inflict more pain on the U.S. than China.”
From Tesla’s energy projects in Shanghai to AstraZeneca’s R&D center in Beijing, American firms continue investing. Nearly all surveyed U.S. companies say they need a presence in China to stay competitive globally.
Tips for Safer Travel
Experts recommend the following precautions:
- Know your risk level. Those in sensitive industries should think twice.
- Use a VPN. This can provide some privacy and access to blocked content.
- Bring burner devices. Assume any device taken to China will be compromised.
- Check your paperwork. Ensure passports and visas are current and accurate.
- Secure your tech post-trip. Have IT check for spyware or data breaches after returning.
Though perceptions may be more negative than reality, the risks are real. As Gabriel Wildau puts it, “There are a few high-profile incidents… but for the vast majority of people in the vast majority of situations, there’s no problem.” Still, the decision to go to China now carries much more weight—and much more risk—than it did a decade ago.