Newsweek - US Bans Sex Between Personnel and Chinese Citizens in China: Report

Published Apr 03, 2025 at 6:40 AM EDT

By Newsweek Staff

The U.S. government has enacted a sweeping ban on romantic or sexual relationships between American government personnel and Chinese citizens in China, an unprecedented move not seen publicly since the Cold War, The Associated Press reported.

Four individuals with direct knowledge of the new rules confirmed to the AP that the policy took effect in January, shortly before U.S. Ambassador Nicholas Burns left his post in Beijing. It applies to all American diplomatic staff, family members, and contractors with security clearances stationed at U.S. facilities in mainland China and Hong Kong.

The directive expands on a more limited policy put in place last summer that barred relationships between U.S. personnel and Chinese support staff such as guards. The broadened rule prohibits intimate relationships with any Chinese national while in China, the AP reported.

Newsweek has contacted the U.S. Embassy in Beijing for comment. The State Department said it does not comment on internal matters.

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