The US government has prohibited officials from engaging in romantic or sexual relationships with Chinese nationals in China.
This restriction has recently come to light. However, the policy was reportedly enacted shortly before President Biden’s envoy to China, Nicholas Burns, departed the communist nation in January.
According to the Associated Press quote, four individuals with knowledge of less stringent and more enforced policies in the summer of 2024 have come forward. Previous regulations prohibited American staff from forming "romantic and sexual relations" with Chinese nationals employed as security or support personnel at the US embassy or consulate in China. Burns extended the regulations in January a few days prior to President Trump assuming office.
Burns is reported to have suggested modifications to the rules after congressional members approached him, arguing that restrictions on government officials were insufficiently stringent.
"He will not be involved in your story."
A notable incident of Chinese espionage through romantic ties in recent times involves a Chinese medical facility that aligned with Christine Fan.
According to a detailed report by Axios, in 2020, spies engaged in sexual or romantic liaisons with at least two mayors from Midwestern cities over three years, including sexual encounters with the mayor of Ohio while under electronic FBI surveillance.
This spy also took part in a fundraising drive for Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif) in 2014 during his reelection campaign. Swalwell faced no allegations of wrongdoing. Nonetheless, the spy is said to have assisted in placing at least one intern in the congressman’s office.
"Rep. Swalwell informed the FBI about this individual he met over eight years ago but had not interacted with in almost six years," Swalwell’s office stated to the media at that time. "He opts not to participate in your story to safeguard any potentially classified information."
The newly established policy targets US personnel at American facilities located in mainland China, including embassies in Beijing and in Guangzhou, Shanghai, Shenyang, and samurai. This also encompasses the US consulate in Hong Kong.
Individuals currently involved with Chinese nationals may seek an exemption.
According to unnamed sources who spoke under conditions of anonymity, the directive was also treated as confidential and conveyed both verbally and electronically to Chinese American personnel in January.
No specifics were provided to reporters regarding what constitutes "romantic or sexual relations."
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