US bans government personnel in China from romantic or sexual relations with Chinese citizens

The US government has banned American government personnel in China, as well as family members and contractors with security clearances, from any romantic or sexual relationships with Chinese citizens, The Associated Press has learned.Four people with direct knowledge of the matter told the AP about the policy, which was put into effect by departing US Ambassador Nicholas Burns in January shortly before he left China.The people would speak only on condition of anonymity to discuss details of a confidential new directive.Though some US agencies already had strict rules on such relationships, a blanket “non-fraternization” policy, as it is known, has been unheard of publicly since the Cold War.It’s not uncommon for American diplomats in other countries to date locals and even marry them.A more limited version of the policy was enacted last summer prohibiting US personnel from “romantic and sexual relations” with Chinese citizens working as guards and other support staff at the US Embassy and five consulates in China.But Burns, the departing ambassador, broadened it to a blanket ban on such relations with any Chinese citizen in China in January, days before President Donald Trump took office.The AP was unable to determine exactly how the policy defined the phrase “romantic or sexual relationship.”Two of the people with knowledge of the ban told the AP the new policy was first discussed last summer after members of Congress contacted Burns to express concern that restrictions on such relationships were not stringent enough.The House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party did not respond to a request for comment.The new policy covers US missions in mainland China, including the embassy in Beijing and consulates in Guangzhou, Shanghai, Shenyang and Wuhan, as well as the American consulate in the semi-autonomous territory of Hong Kong.It does not apply to US personnel stationed outside China.The only exception to the policy is US personnel with...