List of people banned from entering China

This is a list of notable people who have been, or are currently, banned from entering China by the governing Chinese Communist Party.[1][2]

Currently banned

Individual Nationality Occupation Reason banned
David Alton United Kingdom Politician Spreading "lies and disinformation" about the country, according to the Chinese government.[3]
Steve Bannon United States Former White House chief strategist under former US president Donald Trump (2017) "Planned, promoted and executed a series of crazy moves, gravely interfered in China's internal affairs, undermined China's interests, offended the Chinese people, and seriously disrupted China-U.S. relations."[4]
Margarete Bause Germany Politician Vocal supporter of the Muslim Uighur minorities and asking the German government to support sending UN observers to Xinjiang province.[5]
Bjork Iceland Singer Shouted 'Tibet, Tibet' at the end of a performance.
John Bolton United States Former US ambassador to the United Nations (2005–2006) and United States National Security Advisor (2018–2019) "Planned, promoted and executed a series of crazy moves, gravely interfered in China's internal affairs, undermined China's interests, offended the Chinese people, and seriously disrupted China-U.S. relations."[4]
Jon Bon Jovi United States Singer Used an image of the Dalai Lama during a concert.
James W. Carr United States Former commissioner of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom Retaliation for U.S. sanctioning officials over human rights abuses against Uyghurs and other minorities in Xinjiang.[6]
Cheng Ying-yao Taiwan Minister of Education (since 2024) Supporter of Taiwan's independence.[7]
Ker Chien-ming Taiwan Majority Leader of the Legislative Yuan Supporter of Taiwan's independence.
Ted Cruz United States United States senator from Texas (since 2013) Critical of the Chinese Communist Party's policies toward minority groups and people of faith.[8]
Miley Cyrus Singer and actress Took a picture where she pulled her skin back around her eyes, which was construed as racist against Asians.
Harrison Ford Actor Outspoken support for Tibet.
Noel Gallagher United Kingdom Singer Performed in a two-day Tibetan Freedom Concert in New York in 1997; deemed as an 'enemy of the people'.[9]
Ursula Gauthier France Journalist Published an article about Uyghurs in Xinjiang which Chinese government officials disapproved of.[10]
Richard Gere United States Actor Outspoken support for Tibet and criticism of the Chinese Communist Party.
Nus Ghani United Kingdom Politician Spreading "lies and disinformation" about the country, according to the Chinese government.[3]
Selena Gomez United States Singer Shared a photo of her and the Dalai Lama together on social media.
Gigi Hadid Model Visa revoked after an online video showed her doing a slant-eyes gesture in imitation of Buddha.
Clive Hamilton Australia Public intellectual Retaliation for Australia banning visas of two Chinese academics.[11]
Jay-Z United States Rapper Constant use of vulgar language in music, according to the former Chinese Culture Ministry.
Alex Joske Australia Author Retaliation for Australia banning visas of two Chinese academics.[11]
Lady Gaga United States Singer Music being too vulgar and meeting with the Dalai Lama.
Anastasia Lin Canada Model and human rights activist Outspoken on human rights abuses in China, particularly against the Chinese Communist Party.[12]
Perry Link United States Scholar & professor at the University of California, Riverside Outspoken on human rights abuses by the Chinese Communist Party and having written essays on the Tiananman Square protests.[13][14]
Liu Shyh-fang Taiwan Minister of the Interior (since 2024) Supporter of Taiwan's independence.[7]
Tim Loughton United Kingdom Politician and Member of Parliament (1997–2024) Accusing the Chinese government for committing genocide against Uyghur Muslims.[15]
Nadine Maenza United States Former Chairwoman of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom Retaliation for U.S. sanctioning officials over human rights abuses against Uyghurs and other minorities in Xinjiang.[6]
Franco Mella Italy Roman Catholic priest and Hong Kong activist. Linked to rising tensions between the Chinese government and the Holy See.[16]
Andrew J. Nathan United States Professor Connection with The Tiananmen Papers[17]
Neil O'Brien United Kingdom Politician and Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Primary Care and Public Health (2022–2023) Spreading "lies and disinformation" about the country, according to the Chinese government.[3]
Namewee Malaysia Singer (2007–present) Wee has since been banned in mainland China as a result of the song and music video "Fragile" (Chinese: 玻璃心), a collaboration with Taiwan-based Australian singer Kimberley Chen which went viral in October 2021.[18]
James Paterson Australia Senator of Victoria (since 2016) Critical of Chinese actions towards the Uighurs in Xinjiang province as well as attempting to influence opinion about China within Australia.[19][20][21]
Andrew Hastie Australia MP (since 2015) [19]
Mike Pompeo United States Former CIA director (2017–2018) and United States secretary of state (2018–2021) "Planned, promoted and executed a series of crazy moves, gravely interfered in China's internal affairs, undermined China's interests, offended the Chinese people, and seriously disrupted China-U.S. relations."[4]
Marco Rubio United States United States senator from Florida (2011–2025) and United States secretary of state (since 2025) Critical of the Chinese Communist Party's policies toward minority groups and people of faith.[8]
Iain Duncan Smith United Kingdom Former Leader of the Conservative Party (2001–2003) Accusing the Chinese government for committing genocide against Uyghur Muslims.[22]
David Thewlis Actor Starred in the movie Seven Years in Tibet.[23]
Francis Tolentino Philippines Former Senate majority leader (2024–2025) Advancing the Philippines' interests in the South China Sea dispute.[24]
Nury Turkel United States Chair of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom Retaliation for U.S. sanctioning officials over human rights abuses against Uyghurs and other minorities in Xinjiang.[6]
Miles Yu Historian Retaliation for U.S. sanctioning two officials over human rights abuses in Tibet.[25]
Zedd Germany
Russia 		DJ and record producer Liked a tweet from South Park's official account.[26]

Previously banned

Individual Nationality Occupation Reason banned Ban lifted
Jean-Jacques Annaud France Director Directed the movie Seven Years in Tibet. 2012[27]
Bob Dylan United States Singer Chinese authorities argued that his countercultural long-held status was potentially damaging. 2011 (ban applied in 2010)[28]
Helmut Martin Germany Sinologist Criticism of the Chinese Communist Party.[29] 1999 (deceased)
Melissa Mathison United States Screenwriter Activism for Tibet and writer of the movie Kundun, which portrayed the Chinese Communist Party negatively. 2015 (deceased)
Brad Pitt Actor Starred in Seven Years in Tibet. 2014
Martin Scorsese Director Directed Kundun, which portrayed the Chinese Communist Party negatively. 2012
Elliot Sperling Historian Wrote an essay in support of detained Uyghur professor Ilham Tohti. 2017 (deceased)[30]

See also

References

  1. ^ "24 Celebs Who Were Banned From Other Countries". Entertainment Weekly. 26 July 2017. Retrieved 23 March 2025.
  2. ^ "The movie that got Martin Scorsese and Harrison Ford banned from China: "The bad news is that the film was made"". Far Out. 25 October 2024. Retrieved 27 March 2025.
  3. ^ a b c "Uighurs: China bans UK MPs after abuse sanctions". BBC News. 26 March 2021. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
  4. ^ a b c Cadell, Cate; Munroe, Tony (20 January 2021). "China imposes sanctions on 28 Trump-era officials including Pompeo". Reuters.
  5. ^ "China denies entry to German Greens party". DW. 4 August 2019.
  6. ^ a b c "China bans entry to 4 US religious freedom advisors in retort to Xinjiang sanctions". Radio Free Asia. 21 December 2021.
  7. ^ a b Lee, Liz; Lee, Yimou (7 January 2026). "China bans two Taiwan ministers for alleged 'independence activities', angering Taipei". Reuters. Archived from the original on 8 January 2026. Retrieved 8 January 2026.
  8. ^ a b "China bans Marco Rubio, Ted Cruz over criticism of its policies toward minorities". LA Times. 13 July 2020.
  9. ^ "'Enemy Of The People' Noel Gallagher Banned From China". Outlook India. 16 June 2022.
  10. ^ Page, Jeremy (27 December 2015). "China Effectively Expels French Journalist Over Critical Article: Ursula Gauthier says she will not apologize for story about mostly Muslim region of Xinjiang". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2 January 2016.
  11. ^ a b "China bans Australian academics Clive Hamilton and Alex Joske from entering country". Australian Broadcasting Company. 23 September 2020.
  12. ^ "Barred from China and silenced in the US, this beauty queen isn't backing down". CNN. 10 January 2017.
  13. ^ "In New Book From Dissident, a Warning on China". NY Times. 30 November 2011.
  14. ^ "Universities' ties with China under investigation". University World News. 5 December 2014.
  15. ^ "Uighurs: China bans UK MPs after abuse sanctions". BBC. 26 March 2021.
  16. ^ "China bars HK activist priest as Vatican tension escalates". Reuters. 25 July 2011.
  17. ^ "Interview with Professor Andrew Nathan Archived 2011-12-12 at the Wayback Machine" in Columbia University Journal of Politics & Society. Published by the Helvidius Group.
  18. ^ "Backhouse, Andrew (19 October 2021): Andrew (19 October 2021). "'Insulting': Singers instantly banned in China"".
  19. ^ a b "China blocks Liberal MPs Andrew Hastie and James Paterson from Beijing study trip – China power – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)". Abc.net.au. 15 November 2019. Retrieved 16 November 2019.
  20. ^ "Important we can state our views: Chester | the Times". Archived from the original on 16 November 2019. Retrieved 16 November 2019.
  21. ^ "Government MPs alarmed over Chinese influence at Australian universities after pro-Beijing rallies – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)". Abc.net.au. 18 August 2019. Retrieved 16 November 2019.
  22. ^ Louis, Nathan (26 March 2021). "Sir Iain Duncan Smith sanctioned as China hits back at UK". Guardian Series.
  23. ^ "Filmmaker Jean-Jacques Annaud goes from outcast to ally in China". Los Angeles Times. 5 March 2015. Archived from the original on 16 April 2019. Retrieved 20 April 2020.
  24. ^ "China's sanctions a 'badge of honor', Tolentino says". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved 1 July 2025.
  25. ^ "China sanctions two Americans over Tibet rights controversy". Reuters. 22 December 2022.
  26. ^ "Superstar German DJ 'permanently banned' from China for liking a 'South Park' tweet". CNBC. 12 October 2019.
  27. ^ Jonathan Landreth (15 June 2012). "Shanghai Film Fest: Q&A with director Jean-Jacques Annaud". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 18 November 2012. Retrieved 11 September 2012.
  28. ^ "Why was Bob Dylan banned from performing in China?". Far Out Magazine. 19 January 2023.
  29. ^ DVCS circular 2/1999 with detailed obituary for Helmut Martin | url = http://www.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/oaw/dvcs/rundbriefe1999.html
  30. ^ "Indiana University Professor Barred from Entering China". NBC News. 8 July 2014.
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