Reports indicate that Chinese authorities have strengthened internal restrictions on contact with individuals who have overseas ties. Since early 2026, personnel within the police, prosecution, and judicial systems have reportedly been required to avoid, report, or even cut off contact with people considered to have “foreign backgrounds,” including former classmates and friends. Such interactions, once private, are now treated as potential security risks subject to scrutiny.
Several cases illustrate the impact of these measures. Individuals returning from abroad have found that former classmates or contacts working in government-related roles avoid meeting them, fail to respond to messages, or cancel plans. In some instances, officials have indicated that meeting overseas contacts requires prior approval and internal review, making private meetings difficult.
Others have resorted to indirect or limited communication to reduce risk, such as responding through intermediaries or meeting briefly in public places where encounters can be framed as coincidental. Overall, the measures reflect tighter social and professional controls within China’s system regarding overseas connections.
Source: Epoch Times, April 7, 2026
https://www.epochtimes.com/gb/26/4/7/n14736283.htm