The US bans romantic liaisons for diplomats in China
The US government has prohibited American government employees in China from engaging in any romantic or sexual relationships with Chinese citizens, reports AP. The ban also applies to the families of these employees.
What do you need to know?
- American government employees in China and their families cannot establish romantic relationships with Chinese citizens.
- The outgoing US Ambassador Nicholas Burns issued a confidential directive in January.
- Violation of the ban will lead to immediate expulsion from China.
Ambassador Burns introduced the initial restrictions last summer. They prohibited relationships with Chinese citizens working as guards or carrying out other tasks at the US embassy and consulates in Shanghai, Wuhan, Shenyang, Guangzhou, and Hong Kong. The new policy does not pertain to US personnel stationed outside China.
The only exception to this rule is for government employees who had previously established relationships with Chinese nationals. They may apply for an exemption from this restriction, but if their request is declined, they must end the relationship or leave their position. "Anyone who violates this ban will be immediately forced to leave China," AP reports, citing sources close to the matter.
US guidelines. The ban on relationships was already in place
Before Burns imposed the ban, American personnel in China had to report any intimate contacts with Chinese nationals. According to AP, the State Department and other government agencies with offices in China have long had strict requirements concerning the reporting of personal relationships of stationed personnel, including those with Russians and Cubans, who present a significant intelligence threat.
The ban on amiable and romantic relationships was already in force during the Cold War for American personnel stationed in Soviet bloc countries and China. It was intended to be relaxed following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.
American diplomats and intelligence experts claim that Beijing aggressively employs various methods to gain access to American government secrets, writes AP. Before travelling to China, US personnel are briefed on instances where Chinese intelligence services have reportedly sent attractive women to seduce American diplomats. Employees are also warned that "dozens of Chinese security agents may be deployed to monitor" their activities.
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