Her name is Chenyue Mao; she is a U.S. citizen who has worked for Wells Fargo Bank for 13 years, and is currently managing director of one of the bank’s branches in China. According to a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman, Ms. Mao has been blocked from leaving the country on allegations of her being “involved in a criminal case currently being handled by Chinese law enforcement authorities and . . . subject to exit restrictions in accordance with the law.” [Gavin Butler, BBC News, July 21, 2025.]

In China, such ambiguous charges could relate to anything from murder or espionage to jaywalking or reading an unapproved publication.

Typically, no further details were forthcoming from the Chinese government, and it isn’t clear whether Ms. Mao is incarcerated, under house arrest, or has merely had her passport confiscated. Wells Fargo has said only that it is “working through the appropriate channels” to secure her return, but similarly did not offer any additional information — if indeed they had any. In light of the present circumstances, Wells Fargo has suspended all travel to China by its personnel.

The U.S. Embassy in Shanghai has told BBC News:

“We track these cases closely, and have raised our concern with Chinese authorities about the impact these arbitrary exit bans have on our bilateral relations and urged them to immediately allow impacted US citizens to return home. The Chinese government has, for many years, imposed exit bans on US citizens and other foreign nationals in China, often without a clear and transparent judicial process for resolution.” [Id.]

The Foreign Ministry spokesman, Guo Jiakun — addressing a press briefing in Beijing on Monday — stated that “. . . everyone in China, whether they are Chinese or foreigners, must abide by Chinese laws . . . [and that Ms. Mao] has the obligation to cooperate with the investigation.” [Id.]

And then, presumably turning on the charm, he added:

“China will, as always, welcome people from all countries to visit China for tourism and business.” [Id.]

*. *. *

How nice of them. But — as much as I’ve always wanted to see the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, the Terracotta Army at Xi’an, and a panda sanctuary — I think I’ll pass on that invitation for now.

And until Ms. Mao’s predicament is resolved and she is allowed to return home, I will add a new section to our hostage list for those detained in China, leading off with a single name.

I hope she won’t be there for long.

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
7/22/25