Sources also revealed that this policy was proposed by former U.S. Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns. This policy was implemented before Burns left his post in January and before the current U.S. President Donald Trump took office. It is understood that this policy was communicated in oral and electronic form to all U.S. government employees stationed in China in January this year, but it has not been made public.
In addition, the only exception to this policy is for U.S. personnel who had already established close relationships with Chinese citizens before the ban was issued. Such personnel can apply for an exemption from the U.S. government. However, if the exemption is not granted, they will be forced to end their close relationships or leave their current positions. Any personnel who violate this policy will be ordered to immediately leave China.
The AP also pointed out that a similar policy was issued last summer: this policy prohibits romantic and sexual relations between U.S. personnel and Chinese citizens working as security guards and other support staff at the U.S. Embassy in China and five other consulates. However, in January this year, former U.S. Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns expanded the scope of this ban to prohibit any romantic and sexual relationships with Chinese citizens. The AP also questioned how the policy defines "romantic relationships."
Reports said that such complete bans on foreign service personnel establishing romantic relationships with local citizens have not been issued for many years, and have never been publicly disclosed since the Cold War era. The AP noted that it is not uncommon for U.S. diplomats to date or even marry locals in other countries.
The U.S. Department of State said it does not comment on internal matters.
On April 3rd, during the regular press conference of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a reporter from Reuters asked about a report by the AP that the U.S. government banned its officials in China from establishing romantic relationships with Chinese citizens. What are the comments from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs? Spokesperson Guo Jiaqun said, "I think you should ask the U.S. side about this question."
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Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7489082331345535523/
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