>

No more ETFs currently. Well, I should rephrase, I have a very tiny account (<2% of cash) with probably some mixed ETFs, but it’s not my gig. I do however get the “foreign taxes paid” and other stuff with my taxes.
I brought up Ghosn because of the major differences his case highlights in the way things are done.  I’m sure as a result of his flight he had some Japanese assets that were seized (or seized beforehand), I mean he was on house arrest there and I highly doubt he still owns the house. 
China is like the Nth degree because in China, people can’t take their own money out of their own accounts (which ironically Lebanon also has a major crisis, where Ghosn is now). 
China will turn your travel authorization on your phone red so you can’t even go to the bank to protest. Russia just pushes you out a window. 
I agree with you, but I think my point is that in Russia / Asia, people don’t really care who you are or where you’re from, if it suits them, they will probably take action against you when convenient. It’s the “price of doing business” in those countries, which can sadly be everything.
Can someone explain what kind of assets could be seized and sold and would it work out? >

Short answer: no, neither in the short nor long term. Not unless, by some miracle, the owner country agrees to it (and even then).
EU already admitted they can't just seize the state-owned assets and use them as they see fit, because even by the current, ahem, flexible legal standards, it would be stealing. The only thing they did cook up so far is forcibly investing the money in question, give the interest rate to Ukraine and return the rest.
With private assets, it's slightly easier to do, but here another problem arises. The moment USA/EU state out loud they can seize anything belonging to a citizen of nation they don't like, no sane person from South America, Asia and Africa (from anywhere, really) will ever store all of their fortune in a NATO country again, and over time, neither will their countries. Simply because a precedent has been set.
In other words, seizing and selling it all is possible, and you can't imagine a greater Christmas gift for China, which will then become a very, very attractive alternative with the slogan "at least WE will not confiscate everything from you illegally". >


In other words, seizing and selling it all is possible, and you can't imagine a greater Christmas gift for China, which will then become a very, very attractive alternative with the slogan "at least WE will not confiscate everything from you illegally".

do you know anything about China's stance on getting money out of the PRC?
also were would these wealthy individuals invest in? chinese megacorps like Evergrande? >

This madness keeps up, we may find out soon.
IIRC getting money out of anywhere is a challenge. At least it was the last time I asked; the more shady your income is, which is not uncommon, the harder it will be to take it out of whatever country you choose. Nobody likes losing investments. >

You could have also just said "no".
Let me tell you, that China does not compare to any of the NATO countries and most rich people will very likely still bear that risk

will ever store all of their fortune in a NATO country again

this is not how wealthy people manage their assets. they diversify their portfolios across industries, asset types and obviously different geographical regions / markets. they also have trust funds and charities set up in order to be able to more or less "freely" move their money around. >

Honestly even Carlos Ghosen (sp?) raised a lot of flags in Japan, and Japan is one of the more friendly Asian countries for westerners. 
He really raised the flag after being held with no due process against prosecutors who have a 99%+ conviction rate and questioned him 8+ hours a day for hundreds of days, regardless of his guilt.
I’d much rather have my money in one of the least friendly nato countries than Russia / China etc. >


Carlos Ghosn

had to look him up, interesting case but has not very much to do with the discussion at hand, as japan did not directly seize his assets and the root cause seems to be an internal power struggle at Nissan.

I’d much rather have my money in one of the least friendly nato countries than Russia / China etc.

if you have an ETF in your portfolio, you are most likely already invested in China without directly having your money in this country. i think the US & EU should go to great lengths taking oligarch money. this would most likely only affect 1-2% of the global population if that