China Stops US Commerce Employee From Leaving, Reports Say (3)

China has stopped an American citizen who works for the US Commerce Department from leaving the nation for several months, according to media reports — an episode that coincides with Beijing and Washington trying to arrange a leaders’ summit so they can address their differences on trade.

The Chinese-American individual who works for the Patent and Trademark Office had traveled to meet relatives, the Washington Post reported, citing four people familiar with the matter, who asked not to be identified discussing the sensitive issue.

The US sent a very high-level message to Beijing to let the man depart, the ...