AP: US bans its civil servants in China from having romantic relationships with locals
4 April 14:51
The U.S. government has banned U.S. government personnel in China, as well as their family members and contractors with security clearances, from having any romantic or sexual relationships with Chinese citizens.
This was reported by the Associated Press, citing sources, [ komersant] reports.
According to four people with knowledge of the matter, the policy went into effect in January shortly before diplomat Nicholas Burns left his post as US ambassador to China.
While some U.S. agencies already had strict rules about such relationships, a general “no fraternization” policy has not been publicly discussed since the Cold War.
In the summer of 2024, U.S. personnel were banned from “romantic and sexual relationships” only with those Chinese nationals working as security guards and other support staff at the U.S. Embassy and five consulates. But a few days before Donald Trump returned to the White House, then-Ambassador Burns expanded these restrictions to a complete ban on such relationships with any Chinese nationals.
Two of the publication’s sources say that the decision was first discussed last summer after members of the US Congress contacted Burns and expressed concern that the existing restrictions were not strict enough.
The new policy applies to U.S. missions in mainland China, including the embassy in Beijing and consulates in Guangzhou, Shanghai, Shenyang and Wuhan, as well as Hong Kong. However, this did not affect Americans outside of China.
The only exception is for US personnel who already have relationships with Chinese citizens. They can apply for an exemption, but if they are denied, they must end the relationship or leave their position, AP sources say. Anyone who violates this policy will be ordered to leave China immediately.
