China Blocks US Patent Official From Leaving Mainland Days After 'Exit Ban' On Wells Fargo Executive, Beijing Says It's Lawful

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Chinese authorities have barred a U.S. Department of Commerce employee from leaving the country, deepening concerns over the use of exit bans on American citizens.

What Happened: The unnamed U.S. Patent and Trademark Office staffer was stopped in Chengdu on April 14 while visiting family, reveals a CBS report. Officers seized his passport, phone, credit cards and iPad, later returning them but refusing to lift the travel block.