On Monday, China’s Foreign Ministry announced that Wells Fargo executive Mao Zedong is currently unable to leave the country due to her involvement in a “criminal case,” stating she has a “duty to cooperate.”
Wells Fargo also confirmed on Friday that the Atlanta-based American citizen had traveled to China. However, when she tried to return, she found herself unable to leave Chinese territory. The bank hasn’t shared many details about the matter, which has led to a suspension of trips to China for their employees.
This weekend, another U.S. citizen, reportedly a worker from the Department of Commerce, faced a ban on leaving China. Reports have emerged, but the Foreign Office remained silent about this specific incident as of Monday.
When questioned about Mao Zedong’s situation, Ministry spokesman Guo Zi-Kun argued that her case is being handled according to the law. Guo mentioned that Mao is involved in ongoing criminal investigations and therefore cannot leave the country, reiterating that she is required to cooperate.
He assured reporters that their rights would be protected during these investigations as mandated by law.
Recognizing the concerns this incident raises among international investors, Guo stated that China remains open to welcoming people from all countries to conduct business and travel legally within their borders.
However, he didn’t provide specifics about the criminal case involving Mao, nor did he imply that she faces formal charges. Previous reports noted that she wasn’t engaged in high-risk activities prior to the Chinese government’s action. Her role at Wells Fargo involved overseeing sales to third parties, and she also chaired a global organization related to accounts receivable.
Before this visit, she had been to China frequently, working closely with local companies in her field.
Wells Fargo has not offered further information regarding her situation, other than stating they’re monitoring it closely to ensure employees can return to the U.S. as soon as possible.
The U.S. embassy in Beijing mentioned they are involved in the situation and expressed concerns regarding the Communist Party’s actions, highlighting broader implications for U.S. citizens in China.
In response to questions about other unnamed employees from the Department of Commerce, Guo reiterated that there were no specifics available, emphasizing that China adheres to the rule of law regarding entry and exit.
According to the South China Morning Post, a Department of Commerce worker trapped in China traveled to visit family. Unlike Mao, who reportedly was aware of her potential exit issues, this individual tried to leave without attracting much notice and was detained upon landing in Chengdu.
Although this individual is said to have served in the U.S. military, information publicly available doesn’t indicate that this background played a role in the situation.
“In general, China welcomes foreign citizens—including Americans—and will ensure their safety and rights in alignment with the law concerning entry and exit,” a spokesperson from the Chinese Embassy in Washington commented.
However, he also warned that foreigners must respect and comply with Chinese law.
On Monday, a spokesperson released a video showcasing the ease of travel to China.
China’s economy has faced significant challenges, particularly declining foreign investment and international economic activity, following strict restrictions imposed after the COVID-19 outbreak. The government had previously welcomed foreign executives to demonstrate that business operations should not be stifled by government retaliation. Yet, little has improved economically, leading to a recent 20-point action plan from the Commerce Ministry aimed at attracting long-term foreign investments in Chinese firms.
