The US government has banned its employees in China, their relatives and other persons with a security clearance to conclude love or sexual relations with Chinese citizens. The only exception to this guideline is the workers who already have such relations with the Chinese. But they do not have to grant it. Four sources reported to AP on Thursday, TASR writes.
Some US agencies have strict rules on such relationships, but about the so -called policy. According to AP, the prohibition of convergence has not been spoken since the Cold War. It is often the case that American diplomats in other countries have romantic relationships with locals, or they are married with them.
In the summer of 2024, a more limited version of this policy was adopted, prohibiting US staff “romantic and sexual relationships” with Chinese citizens who work as security officers or auxiliary staff at the USA and five consulates in China.
Subsequently, in January this year, shortly before leaving China, it was expanded by the ending US Ambassador Nicholas Burns, who introduced a general ban on relationships with any Chinese citizen in China. The AP has not been able to find out how the specifically given policy defines the phrase “romantic or sexual relationship”.
Concerns and discussions about the ban on
Two unnamed sources said that the ban was first discussed last summer after the US Congressmen contacted Burns to express concerns that restrictions on such relationships were not strict enough.
The latest guidance applies to US diplomatic missions in mainland China, including the Embassy in Beijing and the Consulates in Kanton, Shanghai, Šen-Jang and Wuhane. It also applies to the US Consulate in Hong Kong. However, it does not apply to US staff located outside China.
The consequences and concealment of the measure
As regards the exception if it is rejected by US government employees, they must either end their current relationship or leave their office, resources said. Anyone who violates the guideline will be ordered immediately to leave China.
The US staff in China received the guideline in January orally and electronically. But it was not publicly communicated. There is little known about this US government policy in other countries because it is considered secret. It is known, for example, that the US Department of Foreign Affairs and other agencies in China demand from their employees to report their personal relationships.
News practices in China
Intelligence services around the world have long been using attractive men and women to obtain sensitive information. It was known especially during the Cold War. American diplomats and secret service experts say that Beijing is using the “seduction” strategy to get access to classified American information.
At training before posting to China, US government employees are informed about case studies in which Chinese news services were sent by attractive women to seduce US diplomats. They are also warned that dozens of Chinese state security agents can be deployed to monitor each diplomat who is interested in Beijing.
