American bank leaders who faced restrictions on leaving China have been permitted to exit the country, just ahead of a possible meeting between President Trump and Xi Jinping, which has been a topic of contention between the two nations.
Sources close to the situation informed CNN that Bunker Cheny Mao, a Wells Fargo executive based in Atlanta, has had her exit ban lifted.
Numerous Americans have encountered similar exit bans in China, creating ongoing tensions between the US and China. The US State Department has cautioned travelers about the “arbitrary enforcement” practices in Beijing, including such exit restrictions.
Adam Berler, the US Special Envoy for Hostage Response, hinted at Mao’s release on Tuesday but did not specify her identity.
“We got people who were held at home released from China,” Berler noted at a new American security center event.
He added that there was significant attention devoted to the matter, emphasizing that Trump prioritized securing the release of Americans held abroad.
“The president set the tone and made it very clear,” he remarked.
Berler pointed out that discussions at high levels, such as with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, can significantly influence outcomes. “They communicate that US policies have shifted, and targeting Americans is a substantial negative for them,” he explained.
Recently, Rubio and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth interacted with their Chinese counterparts, while Trump is expected to have a conversation with Xi on Friday.
“Such actions are unacceptable anywhere,” Berler commented in response to inquiries about China’s exit bans, asserting that the US made its stance clear, to which China appeared to respond positively.
Mao was under an exit ban as part of a suspected criminal inquiry. However, it’s unclear who the focus of the investigation is and what role Mao supposedly played. Notably, China does not recognize dual citizenship, prompting the State Department to warn that US citizens based in China could face heightened scrutiny.
Her release follows closely behind Trump’s executive order that designated “national sponsors of illegal detention.”
Berler implied that this new order, which could potentially affect China’s actions, may have influenced the situation.
“There is undoubtedly a complex decision-making process in China. I don’t think the executive order negatively impacted it,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Chinese government has not verified whether Mao’s exit ban has indeed been lifted.
“China supports the rule of law and manages related criminal cases, departures, and exits according to legal standards. Both Chinese citizens and foreigners are expected to adhere to China’s laws,” a spokesperson said. “China, as always, welcomes individuals from all nations to travel, engage in business, and secure their rights according to the law.”
CNN has reached out to Wells Fargo for additional comments.
