According to the latest reports, the United States Embassy in China has explicitly prohibited its diplomatic staff, their family members and contractors holding security clearances, from having “romantic and sexual relations” with Chinese nationals in any way, shape or form.
This policy was apparently implemented in January by outgoing US Ambassador Nicholas Burns, and took effect just days before current US President Donald Trump assumed office. New policy seems to be an extension of the its ‘lite’ version tested last summer that barred personnel at the US embassy and five consulates in China from engaging in intimate relationships with Chinese security guards and other embassy support staff.
It is not known what exactly constitutes “romantic and sexual relations” in the new policy, but these new modifications have effectively transformed the already existing guidelines into a comprehensive “non-fraternization” scheme, reminiscent of the Cold War-period practices.
According to the reports, the new change was not announced publicly but was conveyed to the embassy staff both verbally and via email.
Embassy’s US personnel who have established prior relationships with Chinese nationals may apparently qualify for exemptions that would be a subject to individual review. If an exemption is denied, they would be required to terminate their relationship. Those found to be in violation of this policy will be ordered to return to the United States immediately.
For many years, US and UK intelligence agencies have been warning both diplomatic staff and private citizens against forming relationships with Chinese nationals. According to the agencies, Beijing is operating an extensive “honey trap” espionage network, primarily involving attractive women who seek out foreign nationals, engage in long-term relationships, and ultimately coerce them into cooperating with the Chinese government.
China has consistently refuted the allegations, asserting that Western intelligence agencies are merely projecting their own “disgraceful acts” onto China.
