BlackRock Restricts Use of Company Devices for China Travel Amid Growing Concerns

BlackRock has restricted the use of company devices for business travel to China, effective July 16. Staff are required to use temporary loaner phones and are not permitted to bring company laptops or access the BlackRock network during personal travel in China. This move comes amid growing concerns among global firms about employees working in China, following recent incidents involving US citizens.

BlackRock Inc., the world's largest asset manager, has implemented a new policy for employees traveling to China, effective July 16. The policy requires staff to use temporary loaner phones and prohibits the use of BlackRock-issued devices such as iPhones, iPads, laptops, or remote access via VPN. Additionally, employees will not have access to the BlackRock network during personal travel in China [1].

This move comes amid growing concerns among global firms about employees working in China. Recent incidents, such as the case of Chenyue Mao, a top trade financing banker at Wells Fargo & Co., who was blocked from leaving China, have heightened these concerns. Mao's case was reportedly related to a criminal matter, and the US government has also confirmed that a US citizen employed by the US Commerce Department was barred from leaving China [2].

The restrictions are part of a broader trend of geopolitical tensions between the US and China, which have made it increasingly difficult for firms to navigate business operations in the country. China has tightened data security further with two new laws in 2021, leading many global firms to create onshore centers to keep China data in the country, adding costs and hindering management of their Chinese businesses [1].

BlackRock's presence in China includes a wholly owned mutual fund firm and a wealth management joint venture with China Construction Bank Corp. The new policy aims to mitigate potential risks associated with data security and compliance with Chinese regulations.

References:
[1] https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-07-22/blackrock-restricts-use-of-company-devices-for-china-travel
[2] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/7/22/us-government-employee-barred-from-leaving-china-washington-says