Who's to say those employee actions are not being scrutinized by others and reported back?
As the US and China implement different tit for tat policies, relatives at home can be punished for the actions of relatives abroad.
As the US and China implement different tit for tat policies, relatives at home can be punished for the actions of relatives abroad.
Can you provide any evidence?
But the point you made is correct, activist's family could be punishment.
edit: punishment -> punished
China detains relatives of U.S. reporters in apparent punishment for Xinjiang coverage.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/china-detains-relatives...
While the specific context of this was related to journalists, I would certainly take pause with respect my actions at an employer likely to bump heads and attract the attention of that government. There is an escalation of tensions, with the US and China taking hard stances on vistor visas. It's not unreasonable to be concerned about other sanctions.