China imposes a ban on the output of the US Department of Commerce and Wales Fargo Bank

The US Department of Commerce employee was restricted to departure China By the authorities in Beijing, a Foreign Ministry spokesman told CBS News on Monday. The restricted travel of the unknown government employee was confirmed, as Beijing revealed new information about the US -based Wales Fargo banker who was also a ban on the exit.

“We can confirm that the American Patent and Brand Office, while traveling to China, as a personal, has undergone a ban in China,” Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Monday. “We closely follow this issue and participate with Chinese officials to resolve the situation as quickly as possible.”

The New York Times reported on Monday that the employee concerned is an American citizen who has been prevented from leaving China since mid -April. The newspaper cited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that it obtained, adding that it shows that Beijing officials seized the man’s passport, credit card, mobile phone and iPad while he was in Chengdu on April 14.

The Times said, noting that the man’s documents were repeated on April 22, but he was told that he could not leave the country.

At a press conference on Monday, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman refused to comment on the case of the Ministry of Commerce employee beyond saying that Beijing “adheres to the law and deals with entry and exit affairs in accordance with the law.”

But Foreign Ministry spokesman Giako confirmed that the Wales Vargo Mao Chenio banker had been restricted from the departure of China and faces criminal charges.

“Mrs. Mao Chenio is involved in a criminal case that is currently being addressed by Chinese law enforcement authorities and is subject to exit restrictions in accordance with the law. According to Chinese laws, with the case that is still under investigation, Mrs. Mao cannot leave the country at the present time and to commit in cooperation with the investigation.”

Chenio is the administrative director of Wales Vargo and is based in Atlanta, according to her LinkedIn’s profile, which she says is a dual language in English and Chinese. A source close to Chenio confirmed to CBS News that she is an American citizen. It leads the international Al -Awla works in Wells Fargo, was born in Shanghai, according to a reporter issued by the June website for the Non Profit FCI website, a global network of companies that provide Al -Awla services.

On Monday, Wells Fargo CBS News told Monday that the company “follows this position closely and works through appropriate channels so that our employee can return to the United States as soon as possible.”

A US State Department spokesman declined to comment on Monday on the position of Chenio, “due to privacy and other considerations,” but he said that the Foreign Ministry “has no priority than the safety and security of American citizens.”

On its websiteThe State Department, who travel in China, urges to “exercise an increase in caution”, with a warning that China “is arbitrarily implemented local laws, including a ban on American citizens and citizens in other countries, without a fair and transparent process under the law.”

Only American citizens may realize that they have been banned from going out when they are trying to leave China, and there may not be the legal asylum available to resume such a embargo through a Chinese court, according to a consultation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Also, the Chinese government does not recognize dual citizenship, and this means that “American citizens of Chinese origin may be subject to additional audit and harassment,” says guidance on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The latest incidents come at a sensitive time in relations between Beijing and Washington. In late June, the White House and Beijing officials said that the two sides have Agree on the framework of a new deal To end a trade war between the world’s largest economists.

As is the case, China is facing a final date on August 12-which President Trump-to conclude a new trade deal with the United States to end a escalating trade tariff war for the countries in which the two countries have participated since Mr. Trump returned to the White House in January.

Mr. Trump imposed a tariff of up to 145 % on imports from China, and Beijing responded with sharp import duties, but the two sides agreed to the truce to allow negotiations. Meanwhile, the Trump administration imposed 30 % definitions on imports from China, awaiting the deadline on August 12, when both Washington and Beijing imposed much higher rates if an agreement is not reached.

The confrontation has increased the dangers of American companies that carry out business in China, which were already rising for several years.

In June 2023 after the Chinese authorities The offices raided Among the many US -based companies, business lawyer James Zimmerman CBS News said It seems that everything was taking the Communist Party as a possible threat.

“Unfortunately, in this type of environment, it is very difficult to work – when everything is seen as a national security issue and … it seems as if anything you do can be considered spy,” he said.

Olivia Victoria Gaza

He contributed to this report.