Sounds like something the two Michaels might be familiar with...
China blocks US federal employee from leaving
Exit bans used by China for reasons ranging from criminal investigations to diplomatic leverage tool
The Chinese government has blocked a US federal employee from leaving
China, the US state department has confirmed.
The federal employee works for the US Patent and Trademark Office, and was visiting China in a personal capacity, according to the state department. “We are tracking this case very closely and are engaged with Chinese officials to resolve the situation as quickly as possible,” a spokesperson said.
Chinese authorities confirmed that another American, Wells Fargo banker, Chenyue Mao, had also been blocked from leaving. Both individuals have been subjected to an “exit ban”.
Exit bans are a controversial mechanism used by the Chinese government to bar both Chinese citizens and foreigners from leaving, for reasons ranging from criminal investigations to unsettled civil disputes, but is also used as a leverage tool in diplomatic disputes.
The exact reasons for the federal employee’s exit ban are unclear, but the Washington Post had previously reported that the worker, whose identity has not been released, was stopped from leaving the country after he failed to disclose his government employment on the visa application. He reportedly had also served in the US Army.
Exit bans used by China for reasons ranging from criminal investigations to diplomatic leverage tool
www.theguardian.com