For 40 years China's promise was "reform and opening up". Xi Jinping told the world China's door would only open wider. That's the boast. This video is about the bill. In 2026 China brought in its toughest exit rules in decades, in force from 15 September. People are rushing to get passports before it's too late. State employees report their passports being collected. Travellers with valid visas describe being turned back at the airport. Why would a rising superpower stop its own people from leaving? Because they are leaving: money, talent and the rich, all heading for the exit. A system confident in its future lets people go. A system that fears its future locks the door. The verdict is on the arrangement. China isn't North Korea. But the model now has to hold people in to keep going, and that's the direction North Korea took.
For 40 years China's promise was "reform and opening up". Xi Jinping told the world China's door would only open wider. That's the boast. This video is about the bill.
In 2026 China brought in its toughest exit rules in decades, in force from 15 September. People are rushing to get passports before it's too late. State employees report their passports being collected. Travellers with valid visas describe being turned back at the airport.
Why would a rising superpower stop its own people from leaving? Because they are leaving: money, talent and the rich, all heading for the exit. A system confident in its future lets people go. A system that fears its future locks the door.
The verdict is on the arrangement. China isn't North Korea. But the model now has to hold people in to keep going, and that's the direction North Korea took.