July 22 (Reuters) - BlackRock ( BLK ) has asked its

staff visiting China for business trips to use temporary loaner

phones and avoid using company laptops, Bloomberg News reported

on Tuesday, citing an internal memo.

The world's largest asset manager told its staff that using

company-issued employee devices, including iPhones and iPads, is

not permitted, the report said.

BlackRock ( BLK ) also barred the use of company laptops or remote

access via virtual private networks, the report said, adding

that employees will not have access to the BlackRock ( BLK ) network

during personal travel in China.

Reuters could not immediately verify the report. BlackRock ( BLK )

did not respond to a request for comment.

The report comes as firms witness China's growing hold over

access during travel to the nation.

On Monday, the U.S. State Department said that the Chinese

government had blocked an unnamed U.S. Patent and Trademark

Office employee visiting the Asian country in a personal

capacity from leaving.

Earlier this month, a Wells Fargo ( WFC ) banker was also

blocked from leaving China. Beijing's foreign ministry said the

banker was involved in a criminal case.