Deepseek starts out as a one-man operation. Like any company that has attracted a lot of attention, it becomes a "target" of the CCP, which then takes measures such as prohibiting key employees from leaving the country AND setting goals such as using Huawei chips instead of NVIDIA chips.
From a Chinese political perspective, this is a good move in the long term. From Deepseek's perspective, however, this is clearly NOT the case, as it causes the company to lose some (or even most?) of its competitiveness and fall behind in the race.
They revoke passports of personnel whom they deem are at risk of being negatively influenced or even kidnapped when abroad. Re influence, think school teachers. Re kidnapping, see Meng Wangzhou (Huawei CFO).
There is a history of important Chinese personnel being kidnapped by e.g. the US when abroad. There is also a lot of talk in western countries about "banning Chinese [all presumed spies/propagandists/agents] from entering". On a good faith basis, one would think China banning people from leaving is a good thing that aligns with western desires, and should thus be applauded. So painting the policy as sinister tells me that the real desire is something entirely different.
You’re twisting the (obvious) truth. These people are being held prisoners because they’re of economic value to the party. And they would probably accept a job and life elsewhere if they weee given enough money. They are not being held prisoners for their own protection.
Let's just say "things can happen for reasons other than 'the govt is evil'" is not only an opinion that exists, but is also valid. You seem to be severely underestimating just how much of a 9/11 moment Meng Wanzhou is for Chinese. You should talk to more mainlanders. This isn't 20 years ago anymore.
