This is a list of notable people who have been, or are currently, banned from entering China by the governing Chinese Communist Party.
Currently banned
IndividualNationalityOccupationReason bannedDavid AltonPoliticianSpreading "lies and disinformation" about the country, according to the Chinese government.Steve BannonFormer White House chief strategist under the first presidency of 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."Margarete BausePoliticianVocal supporter of the Muslim Uighur minorities and asking the German government to support sending UN observers to Xinjiang province.BjörkSingerShouted "Tibet, Tibet" at the end of a performance of "Declare Independence".John BoltonFormer 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."Jon Bon JoviSingerUsed an image of the Dalai Lama during a concert.James W. CarrFormer commissioner of the United States Commission on International Religious FreedomRetaliation for U.S. sanctioning officials over human rights abuses against Uyghurs and other minorities in Xinjiang.Cheng Ying-yaoMinister of Education (since 2024)Supporter of Taiwan's independence.Ker Chien-mingMajority Leader of the Legislative YuanTed CruzUnited States senator from Texas (since 2013)Critical of the Chinese Communist Party's policies toward minority groups and people of faith.Miley CyrusSinger and actressTook a picture where she pulled her skin back around her eyes, which was construed as racist against Asians.Harrison FordActorOutspoken support for Tibet.Noel GallagherSingerPerformed in a two-day Tibetan Freedom Concert in New York in 1997; deemed as an "enemy of the people".Ursula GauthierJournalistPublished an article about Uyghurs in Xinjiang which Chinese government officials disapproved of.Richard GereActorOutspoken support for Tibet and criticism of the Chinese Communist Party.Nus GhaniPoliticianSpreading "lies and disinformation" about the country, according to the Chinese government.Selena GomezSingerShared a photo of her and the Dalai Lama together on social media.Gigi HadidModelVisa revoked after an online video showed her doing a slant-eyes gesture in imitation of Buddha.Clive HamiltonPublic intellectualRetaliation for Australia banning visas of two Chinese academics.Jay-ZRapperConstant use of vulgar language in music, according to the former Chinese Culture Ministry.Alex JoskeAuthorRetaliation for Australia banning visas of two Chinese academics.Lady GagaSingerMusic being too vulgar and meeting with the Dalai Lama.Anastasia LinModel and human rights activistOutspoken on human rights abuses in China, particularly against the Chinese Communist Party.Perry LinkScholar & professor at the University of California, RiversideOutspoken on human rights abuses by the Chinese Communist Party and having written essays on the Tiananman Square protests.Liu Shyh-fangMinister of the Interior (since 2024)Supporter of Taiwan's independence.Tim LoughtonPolitician and Member of Parliament (1997–2024)Accusing the Chinese government for committing genocide against Uyghur Muslims.Nadine MaenzaFormer Chairwoman of the United States Commission on International Religious FreedomRetaliation for U.S. sanctioning officials over human rights abuses against Uyghurs and other minorities in Xinjiang.Franco MellaRoman Catholic priest and Hong Kong activist.Linked to rising tensions between the Chinese government and the Holy See.Andrew J. NathanProfessorConnection with The Tiananmen Papers"Interview with Professor Andrew Nathan " in Columbia University Journal of Politics & Society. Published by the Helvidius Group.Neil O'BrienPolitician 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.NameweeSinger (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.James PatersonSenator 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.Andrew HastieMP (since 2015)Maria João PiresPianistPerforming for the Dalai Lama at an international conference.https://crosseyedpianist.com/2024/06/24/a-standing-ovation-for-pianist-maria-joao-pires/Mike PompeoFormer 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."Iain Duncan SmithFormer Leader of the Conservative Party (2001–2003)Accusing the Chinese government for committing genocide against Uyghur Muslims.David ThewlisActorStarred in the movie Seven Years in Tibet.Francis TolentinoFormer Senate majority leader (2024–2025) and Acting Secretary of Labor and EmploymentAdvancing the Philippines' interests in the South China Sea dispute.Nury TurkelChair 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.Miles YuHistorianRetaliation for U.S. sanctioning two officials over human rights abuses in Tibet.ZeddDJ and record producerLiked a tweet from South Park's official account.Nigel NgComedianNigel Ng was banned in China over the weekend after he made jokes about China and its censorship regime, also having his social media accounts banned on Chinese social media websites Weibo and Bilibili due to the “violation of relevant laws and regulations.”Gilberto TeodoroSecretary of National DefenseFor "erroneous remarks" made by Gilberto Teodoro undermining Chinese sovereignty interest and the China–Philippines relations. Includes his wife Monica Prieto and their child.Monica PrietoPhilippine special envoy to UNICEF
Previously banned IndividualNationalityOccupationReason bannedBan liftedJean-Jacques AnnaudDirectorDirected the movie Seven Years in Tibet.2012Bob DylanSingerChinese authorities argued that his countercultural long-held status was potentially damaging.2011 (ban applied in 2010)Helmut MartinSinologistCriticism of the Chinese Communist Party.DVCS circular 2/1999 with detailed obituary for Helmut Martin | url = http://www.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/oaw/dvcs/rundbriefe1999.html 1999 (deceased)Melissa MathisonScreenwriterActivism for Tibet and writer of the movie Kundun, which portrayed the Chinese Communist Party negatively.2015 (deceased)Brad PittActorStarred in Seven Years in Tibet.2014Martin ScorseseDirectorDirected Kundun, which portrayed the Chinese Communist Party negatively.2012Elliot SperlingHistorianWrote an essay in support of detained Uyghur professor Ilham Tohti.2017 (deceased)Marco RubioUnited 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.2026
See also Human rights abuses in China List of people banned from entering Australia List of people banned from entering Canada List of people banned from entering Ukraine List of people banned from entering the United Kingdom List of people banned from entering the United States
References