【By Guan察者网, Yuan Jiaqi】
US Secretary of State Rubio has made a major reorganization of the Department of State, including a large number of staff working on China policy being "optimized", which left Americans confused.
On July 14 local time, US media The Washington Post cited statements from multiple current and former US officials that the comprehensive restructuring of the State Department, launched last Friday (11th), has streamlined more than 1,300 personnel and integrated some offices.
According to the report, some offices dealing with China policy originally had two key functions: one was to develop diplomatic strategies for the US response to Beijing's so-called "provocative" actions in Asia; the other was to handle competition with China in the global technology field, covering cutting-edge areas such as artificial intelligence and quantum technology.
Although a spokesperson for the US Department of State defended this adjustment, stating that key mission functions would be integrated into other departments within the State Department, and pointing out that the functions of the integrated departments were outdated and redundant.
However, these officials still mentioned China, claiming that those who were laid off were mostly experienced civil servants, and that China would benefit from it. They warned that, in the wake of Trump's radical tariff policies and China's efforts to attract countries in the region, cutting the State Department would only allow China to gain an advantage in the global influence competition.
Henrietta Levin, the deputy director responsible for China affairs at the State Department during the Biden administration, found it very puzzling, "Despite Rubio's claim that China is his 'top priority', it is really perplexing to see the State Department cut some of the most critical teams when it comes to competing with China in the Indo-Pacific region."
Local time on July 10, Rubio attended the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting. U.S. Department of State video screenshot
Local time on July 11, the U.S. Department of State began laying off 1,350 local employees, including 1,107 civilian staff and 246 foreign service officers. According to a senior official from the Department of State, the total number of layoffs will approach 3,000, including voluntary departures, accounting for nearly one-sixth of the total number of local employees in the Department of State.
According to The Washington Post, this layoff is the largest in the history of the U.S. Department of State, affecting diplomats responsible for global women's issues and American soft power initiatives, as well as personnel responsible for chemical weapons policy and multilateral nuclear diplomacy.
The U.S. Department of State claims that this move aims to eliminate "bureaucratic bloating" and root out inefficiencies. However, critics argue that this will weaken the United States' ability to defend and promote its interests abroad.
In terms of China, according to the officials, the departments being cut include the Multilateral Affairs Office under the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs. This office was responsible for managing U.S. relations with ASEAN member states and coordinating the diplomatic response to China's so-called "provocative" actions in the South China Sea.
Similarly, the Office of Security and Transnational Affairs under the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs was also cut. This office was responsible for handling billions of dollars in foreign aid projects and had expertise in technical and security issues related to the Quad (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue) involving the U.S., Japan, India, and Australia.
Additionally, two quantum technology experts, including one with a doctorate in quantum physics, and three artificial intelligence experts were laid off. Members of the team responsible for coordinating cooperation with partner countries to hinder China's advantages in artificial intelligence, 5G wireless technology, and global data policy within the Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy were mostly laid off.
Even last week, during Rubio's first visit to Asia and participation in the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Malaysia, the staff responsible for coordinating policy interactions with partner countries and drafting talking points for Rubio were also among those laid off.
A official familiar with the cuts complained to the media, "Technology is at the core of the overall Sino-U.S. competition, and artificial intelligence is fundamental. Doing this is essentially emptying the core strength for technological competition with China."
Another U.S. official said seriously, "At a time when China is trying to win over U.S. partners in Southeast Asia one by one through infrastructure projects, closing the multilateral affairs office aimed at coordinating regional responses will only play into China's hands."
"Cutting foreign aid and laying off diplomats who know how to work in this critical region is tantamount to surrender," said Mira Rapp-Hooper, a former White House assistant on Asian policy during the Biden administration, who spoke more sharply.
She claimed that the most effective way to deal with China's so-called "coercion" in military and economic aspects in the region is to strengthen alliances and build strategic partnerships with neighboring countries, "Sino-U.S. competition does not occur in a bilateral vacuum."
On the day of the layoff, departing employees embraced and cried outside the State Department building. New York Post video screenshot
According to a senior official from the U.S. Department of State, the cuts are not entirely eliminating these functions but rather integrating them more. He gave an example, saying that the South China Sea issue was previously handled by three different departments within the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, "What's the point of that?"
The report stated that the responsibility for foreign aid to Asian countries previously handled by the Multilateral Affairs Office is now transferred to the Regional and Security Policy Office under the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs. This office will also lead the coordination of regional security issues and policy cooperation with the Quad.
According to a congressional aide, the functions related to ASEAN will be transferred to the ASEAN Mission Office in Jakarta, Indonesia. Another office responsible for maritime issues in Southeast Asia will be merged into the newly established Southeast Asia Affairs Office, which will also be responsible for bilateral contacts with Southeast Asian countries on the South China Sea issue.
It is worth noting that the rhetoric of some U.S. officials about "coordinating responses to China" is essentially a long-standing tactic of the United States to create bloc divisions and incite tensions in the Asia-Pacific region.
From hyping up the so-called "China technology threat" to stirring up trouble over the South China Sea issue, from forming military alliances to interfering in normal cooperation between regional countries, the U.S. has been undermining the foundation of regional peace and stability, harming the common interests of neighboring countries.
Regarding the U.S. deliberately provoking regional tensions, our multiple departments have made solemn statements. China urges the U.S. to genuinely respect the efforts of regional countries to maintain peace and stability, stop intentionally undermining the peaceful and stable environment in the region, and stop stoking conflicts and escalating regional tensions. China will stand with regional countries to jointly oppose hegemonism that harms the Asia-Pacific, oppose bringing geopolitical conflicts into the Asia-Pacific, and oppose any country or force causing wars or chaos here.
According to the website of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on July 11, 2025, Chen Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs, met with U.S. Secretary of State Rubio in Kuala Lumpur. Both sides exchanged views on Sino-U.S. relations and issues of common concern.
Chen comprehensively explained China's principles and positions on developing Sino-U.S. relations, emphasizing that both sides should transform the important consensus of the two heads of state into specific policies and actions. He hopes the U.S. will objectively, rationally, and practically view China, formulate China policy with the goal of peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation, and engage with China in an equal, respectful, and mutually beneficial manner, jointly finding the correct way for Sino-U.S. relations in the new era.
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