U.S. Government Employees in China Prohibited from Pursuing ‘Romantic or Sexual Relationships’ with Chinese Nationals – One America News Network
OAN Staff Blake Wolf
4:02 PM – Thursday, April 3, 2025
The U.S. government has banned all romantic and sexual relationships between American government employees or associated personnel and Chinese citizens while they are stationed in China.
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This directive, effective from January, prohibits all U.S. diplomatic staff, contractors, and family members with security clearance in mainland China and Hong Kong, according to the Associated Press.
The policy was implemented by U.S. Ambassador Nicholas Burns just days before President Donald Trump’s inauguration. It extends a previous limited policy that restricted U.S. personnel at the U.S. Embassy and the five consulates in China from engaging in “romantic and sexual relations” with Chinese citizens.
Notably, this ban does not extend to U.S. personnel stationed outside of China, and individuals can request an exemption if they had pre-existing relationships before the policy was enacted.
The initiative was prompted by concerns from several members of Congress who contacted Burns about the risks posed to national security by romantic ties with Chinese citizens, as per the Associated Press.
Those who violate the policy risk being expelled from China, according to the outlet.
Former CIA analyst Peter Mattis pointed out at least two instances where Chinese agents successfully seduced American diplomats in China to obtain sensitive government information.
“The MSS (China’s Ministry of State Security) is willing to leverage any human connection that a target has to collect intelligence,” stated Mattis.
“This rule change suggests the MSS has gotten a lot more aggressive at trying to access the embassy and U.S. government,” he added.
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