US bans govt officers posted in China from ‘romantic, sexual’ relations with Chinese language residents, here is why

The US authorities has banned American authorities personnel posted in China, in addition to relations and contractors with safety clearances, from having any romantic or sexual relationship with Chinese language residents, in line with information company AP. The ban was enforce by departing US Ambassador Nicholas Burns in January, shortly earlier than he left China, 4 individuals near the matter say on the situation of anonymity. Whereas some US businesses have been identified for having strict guidelines on such relationships, a blanket “non-fraternisation” coverage has been largely unprecedented publicly because the Chilly Battle. Notably, it isn’t unusual for American diplomats in different international locations thus far locals and even marry them.

Earlier, a restricted model of the coverage was enacted final summer season, which prohibited US personnel from “romantic and sexual relations” with Chinese language residents working as guards and different help workers on the US Embassy and 5 consulates in China.

Ban to cowl following US embassy, consulates in China

Days earlier than President Trump took workplace, Burns, the departing ambassador, broadened the laws to a blanket ban on such relations with any Chinese language citizen in China in January. 

The brand new coverage is slated to cowl US missions in mainland China, together with the Beijing embassy and consulates in Guangzhou, Shanghai, Shenyang and Wuhan. The ban can even affect the American consulate within the semi-autonomous territory of Hong Kong.

The coverage, nonetheless, exempts US personnel with pre-existing relations with Chinese language residents, they usually can apply for exemptions. In case the exemptions are denied, the involved personnel shall be required to finish the connection or go away their place, AP stories.

The American personnel working in China have been knowledgeable of the coverage verbally and electronically in January, whereas the general public announcement remains to be awaited. 

Till the brand new ban in January, US personnel in China have been required to report any intimate contact with Chinese language residents to their supervisors however weren’t explicitly forbidden from sexual or romantic relationships.

Possible causes behind newest ban

In line with declassified State Division paperwork, the US authorities barred personnel stationed within the Soviet bloc and China from befriending, courting or having intercourse with locals in 1987 after a US Marine in Moscow was seduced by a Soviet spy.

Intelligence providers internationally have for lengthy been utilizing engaging women and men to acquire delicate data, which was commonest throughout the Chilly Battle.

The State Division and different businesses with places of work in China have lengthy had stringent reporting necessities on private relationships for American personnel stationed there, in addition to rivals thought-about excessive intelligence threats comparable to Russia or Cuba.

US diplomats and intelligence consultants say that Beijing continues to aggressively use so-called honeypots to entry American secrets and techniques.

Previous to their postings, the US authorities officers are briefed on case research the place Chinese language intelligence providers despatched engaging girls to seduce American diplomats. They’re additionally infomed that dozens of Chinese language state safety brokers will be assigned to watch any particular person diplomat of curiosity.

(With inputs from AP)