China is enforcing new travel restrictions that now extend to a broad range of public employees, including those in non-sensitive, low-level positions such as elementary school teachers and nurses, according to a report in The New York Times. These employees have been ordered to hand in their passports as part of a measure to enforce what authorities describe as ‘discipline’.
This policy represents a significant expansion of previous passport controls, which were typically limited to high-ranking officials. The move is seen as part of a wider trend to increase state control, ensure loyalty to the Communist Party, and prevent the outflow of skilled professionals.