Watan-The U.S. government has prohibited American government employees in China—as well as their family members and contractors with security clearances—from engaging in any romantic or sexual relationships with Chinese citizens.
According to four individuals familiar with the matter, this new policy was implemented by outgoing U.S. Ambassador Nicholas Burns in January, shortly before his departure from China. These sources requested anonymity due to the classified nature of the directive.
Although some U.S. agencies already had strict rules regarding such relationships, no one had publicly heard of a sweeping “no fraternization” policy—by that name—since the Cold War. It’s not uncommon for American diplomats in other countries to date or even marry local citizens.
A limited version of this policy had been issued the previous summer, banning romantic and sexual relationships between U.S. personnel and Chinese nationals working as security guards or support staff at the U.S. embassy and five consulates in China. However, in January, just days before President Donald Trump took office, Burns expanded the ban to include all Chinese citizens in China.
It remains unclear how exactly the new policy defines a “romantic or sexual relationship.”
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