Forbidden love: US government bans its employees in China from having intimate relationships with locals

The US government has banned American government personnel working in China, as well as their family members and contractors, from any romantic or sexual relations with Chinese citizens.

This is reported by UNN with reference to APNews.

Details

Although some US agencies already had strict rules regarding close relationships with foreigners, such a policy has not been common since the Cold War. In particular, American diplomats in other countries often meet with local residents and even marry them.

Own sources told the publication that a certain policy was introduced in the summer that prohibits American government personnel from "romantic and sexual relations" with Chinese citizens working as security guards and other support staff at the US Embassy and five consulates in China. Other sources clarified that the new policy was first discussed last summer after members of Congress contacted the US Ambassador to China Burns and expressed concern that restrictions on such relations were not strict enough.

After the departure of the US Ambassador from China in January, additional restrictions were introduced that prohibit such relations with any Chinese citizen. The policy was communicated orally and electronically to American personnel in China in January, but was not publicly announced.

However, sources did not specify how exactly the presence of "romantic relationships" is determined in this policy. The publication notes that the new policy applies to US missions in mainland China, including the embassy in Beijing and consulates in Guangzhou, Shanghai, Shenyang and Wuhan, as well as the American consulate in the semi-autonomous territory of Hong Kong. This does not apply to US personnel stationed outside of China.

The only exception to the policy is US personnel who had relationships with Chinese citizens before the introduction of the new policy. But they are simply offered to apply for an exemption. If the exemption is denied, they must end the relationship or leave their position. Anyone who violates this policy will be ordered to leave China immediately

The Committee of the Communist Party of China did not respond to the publication's request for comments on this topic. Burns, the former ambassador, also did not respond to the request.

The US State Department said it does not comment on internal affairs. The National Security Council sent a question to the State Department. 

Possible reason for the ban

Prior to the new ban in January, US employees in China were required to report any intimate contact with Chinese citizens to their supervisors, but were not prohibited from having them.

American diplomats and intelligence experts say that Beijing continues to aggressively use so-called "lures" to gain access to American secrets. During presentations before being in China, American personnel were introduced to examples of Chinese intelligence services sending attractive women to seduce American diplomats, and warned that dozens of agents of Chinese state security could be assigned to monitor any diplomat who interests them.

China promises a response to "bullying" Trump's tariffs03.04.25, 10:45 • 7709 views