As China exit ban shakes Western firms, an opportunity for India

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13 hours ago

Recent events have deepened the concerns of multinational firms operating in China. The practice of issuing exit bans, particularly for those with family ties in China or involved in commercial disputes, has been used as a tool by Chinese authorities for years. However, the latest incidents have elevated the risks to a new level particularly for foreign nationals travelling on business.
Reports said two US citizens including a federal employee and a senior executive at Wells Fargo have been barred from leaving China. These cases are not isolated. Dozens of American citizens, many of them ethnic Chinese, are under similar exit bans in China, often with little transparency or legal recourse.
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John Kamm of the Dui Hua Foundation told The Washington Post that the number of such bans may be as high as 50, with new cases emerging monthly, typically tied to commercial or civil disputes.
The Wells Fargo Incident: A turning point
The case of Chenyue Mao, a managing director at Wells Fargo specialising in international factoring, has become emblematic of the growing tension. Mao, a US citizen born in Shanghai, entered China recently on a business trip and discovered upon attempting to leave that she was subject to an exit ban. Wells Fargo promptly suspended all employee travel to China and confirmed it was actively working through appropriate channels to secure Mao's return to the US, reports said.
Mao's extensive professional history in global trade finance, including leadership roles in international financial organisations, highlights the potential diplomatic fallout. Her travel restriction, imposed without clear explanation, raises serious concerns about the predictability and safety of conducting business in China.
Corporate fallout and diplomatic repercussions
Multinational corporations, especially those with staff deployed in mainland China, are now reevaluating risk exposure. Some companies have already issued internal directives discouraging solo travel or advising employees to avoid China altogether, Reuters reported. The broader implication, however, is that firms are beginning to question whether operating in China is worth the geopolitical and personal risk.
US government agencies have responded cautiously but firmly. The State Department reiterated its advisory urging Americans to reconsider travel to China due to arbitrary enforcement of local laws, including exit bans. Furthermore, senior diplomats have raised these cases directly with Chinese officials, with pressure mounting at high levels to ensure the affected individuals are allowed to return home.
Mixed signals from Beijing
China has long courted foreign investment, emphasising its openness to global business. Spokespersons from the Chinese Embassy in Washington have reiterated that China 'guarantees the safety and legitimate rights' of foreign citizens within its borders, provided they respect local laws.
But China's growing use of exit bans, lack of judicial transparency and disregard for dual nationality protections run contrary to these assurances.
A wake-up call for Western corporations
The events surrounding Mao's detainment have triggered a reckoning among global business leaders. Veteran bankers and corporate executives who previously experienced China's regulatory environment with relative confidence now face a stark reality that no foreign passport offers guaranteed protection. For ethnic Chinese professionals, the risk is compounded by Beijing's refusal to acknowledge dual citizenship.
In the words of a former US official, naturalised citizens are particularly vulnerable. The Chinese government views them as Chinese nationals first, giving the state leverage through family connections still in the country.
Cases like that of a US government employee reportedly held in China for visa-related issues reinforce these concerns, especially as the person involved was travelling for personal reasons and not on official business.
Eroding business confidence
The chilling effect on global business sentiment is growing. The use of exit bans, especially against senior executives, threatens not only individual liberties but also the operational flexibility of multinational firms. As reported by The Economic Times, Mao's case has generated considerable alarm, especially in sectors reliant on frequent cross-border engagement such as finance, tech and manufacturing.
China's ambition to remain a global business hub now faces a self-imposed challenge. Detaining business travellers, whether as part of internal investigations or diplomatic leverage, sends a contradictory message. While the country's leadership continues to court global investors, its practices increasingly alienate the very professionals it seeks to attract.
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India: A stable and strategic alternative
Amid this growing disquiet, attention is turning toward India as a more secure and strategically viable destination for Western companies. The appeal is rooted not just in India's demographic advantages or its burgeoning middle class, but in its political and legal transparency, favourable investment climate and robust institutional framework.
Over the past few years, India has actively positioned itself as an alternative manufacturing and technology hub through initiatives such as Make in India and production-linked incentive (PLI) schemes. Western multinationals have already begun shifting parts of their supply chains to India, often citing regulatory stability and democratic governance as key factors.
The timing could not be more opportune. While China's opaque legal environment deters inbound travel and long-term planning, India offers relative predictability. The recent instability in US-China relations only sharpens this contrast. Business leaders are increasingly factoring in not just cost efficiency but also geopolitical resilience when selecting regional bases.
Building trust through rule of law
Unlike China, India maintains an independent judiciary and relatively open media ecosystem, both of which contribute to a safer environment for foreign investors and professionals. Arbitrary detentions, opaque travel restrictions and politically motivated legal actions, which are key concerns in China, are far less common in India. This legal clarity provides assurance to international firms that their rights and those of their employees will be upheld.
Furthermore, India's diplomatic relations with Western nations have been steadily improving. Strategic partnerships with the US, EU, Japan and Australia bolster its credibility as a long-term business ally. These alliances also create a security buffer that helps insulate foreign investors from the volatility seen in other emerging markets.
In practical terms, firms looking to de-risk their Asia strategies are already exploring options to relocate regional offices or data centres from China to India. The software and electronics industries are leading the charge, but the trend is expanding into pharmaceuticals, textiles and financial services.
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Companies previously hesitant to exit China entirely are now taking a 'China-plus-one' approach retaining minimal presence in China while building up operations elsewhere. India, with its skilled workforce, improving infrastructure and investor-friendly reforms is increasingly emerging as that 'plus-one.'
Several multinationals are quietly moving critical roles out of China. Apple, for instance, has increased its iPhone production capacity in India. Likewise, Google and Microsoft have expanded their development centres across Bengaluru and Hyderabad. These aren't merely tactical decisions. They reflect a growing strategic consensus that long-term exposure to China carries reputational and operational risks that are no longer acceptable.
The Wells Fargo episode, for all its uniqueness, has only intensified these conversations. Corporations now see India not just as a promising growth market, but as a secure geopolitical partner.
A shift in the balance of power
The detainment of American nationals in China, particularly high-ranking business professionals, has introduced a new layer of risk into an already complex geopolitical arena. While Beijing attempts to walk a fine line between regulatory control and economic openness, it risks alienating the very investors and professionals critical to its growth ambitions.
In contrast, India offers a path forward for Western firms looking for stability, transparency and a reliable rule of law. As corporate leaders reexamine where and how they operate in Asia, the choice between risk and resilience is becoming clearer. And for many, India is emerging not just as an alternative, but as the new centre of gravity in the region's economic future.
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