The number of people fleeing abroad has increased dramatically since Xi Jinping came to power

According to data from the UN Refugee Agency cited by the human rights organization "Safeguard Defenders," the number of asylum seekers from China exceeded 17,000 in 2024, which is not only the highest number in history but also represents a 169% increase compared to pre-pandemic 2019 levels.
According to today's report by the Central News Agency, citing information recently published on the Safeguard Defenders website, besides the above numbers, over the past two years, media outlets have reported various cases of people fleeing China through different means, with many of these individuals eventually becoming asylum seekers. However, some of these refugees have been forcibly returned to China by governments that maintain friendly relations with China.
The UN Refugee Agency's published data and the organization's previous revelations indicate that this is part of a "trend" that began after Xi Jinping came to power.
The organization also notes that according to the UN Refugee Agency's latest data from 2022, 2023, and 2024 (with 2024 figures based on half-year projections), an increasing number of Chinese citizens are taking drastic measures to seek asylum.