The U.S. State Department said on Monday that the Chinese government had blocked a U.S. Patent and Trademark Office employee visiting the Asian country in a personal capacity from leaving. "We are tracking this case very closely and are engaged with Chinese officials to resolve the situation as quickly as possible,

The man, said to be Chinese American, was reportedly stopped for not disclosing his work on his visa application. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

China has declined to comment on the alleged exit ban, saying only that it handles all cases according to the law.