The United States Implements Restrictions on Overseas Personnel: Prohibiting the Development of Cross-National Romantic Relationships with Chinese Nationals?
Beautiful Spies Lure Officials to Steal Intelligence
Is this the kind of scenario often seen in 007 spy movies real? According to deep-throat sources, the U.S. State Department has prohibited personnel stationed abroad and their families from engaging in romantic relationships or affairs with Chinese citizens while working in China, in order to prevent the theft of confidential intelligence by China.
Four anonymous sources with knowledge of the situation revealed to the Associated Press that this policy was implemented shortly after the departure of U.S. Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns in January of this year. Although U.S. agencies generally have strict regulations regarding romantic relationships that develop because of business, the allure often proves irresistible for expatriates. It is not uncommon for American diplomats stationed in other countries to date or even marry locals, but a blanket “no dating” policy has never been heard of before.
The U.S. Embassy in China Prohibits Dating or Having Sexual Relationships with Chinese Citizens
Ambassador Nicholas Burns, who served at the U.S. Embassy for three years, expanded the dating ban earlier this year, just days before President Trump took office in January. Burns extended the prohibition to a complete ban on dating or having relationships with any Chinese citizens. Two individuals familiar with the ban told the Associated Press that this new policy was discussed as early as last summer, when congressional members contacted Burns expressing concerns that the existing restrictions were not stringent enough. The House China Committee did not respond to requests for comments.
The new policy will cover the U.S. diplomatic mission in mainland China, including the U.S. Embassy in Beijing and consulates in Guangzhou, Shanghai, Shenyang, and Wuhan, as well as the U.S. Consulate in the semi-autonomous region of Hong Kong. The policy does not apply to personnel stationed outside of China.
The only exception to the policy is that personnel who already have relationships with Chinese citizens may apply for a waiver. Insiders indicated that if a waiver request is denied, they must terminate the relationship or resign. Anyone who violates the policy will be ordered to leave China immediately. The policy has been communicated to U.S. personnel in China through verbal and electronic means since January but has not been publicly announced. The U.S. State Department has stated it does not comment on internal matters.
Espionage against Espionage: Is the U.S. and China Returning to Cold War Era?
For a long time, intelligence agencies worldwide have trained operatives to use charm to infiltrate intelligence. During the U.S.-Soviet Cold War, the U.S. State Department maintained strict requirements for personnel stationed abroad.
Declassified documents from the U.S. State Department indicate that in 1987, a U.S. Marine stationed in Moscow was seduced by a Soviet spy, leading the U.S. government to prohibit personnel stationed in the Soviet Union and China from befriending, dating, or having sexual relations with locals.
For many years, the U.S. had not explicitly prohibited such cross-cultural romances in China. The boundaries of what constitutes treasonous relationships have remained vague. Prior to the new ban in January, personnel stationed in China were required to report any intimate contact with Chinese citizens but were not explicitly prohibited from engaging in sexual or romantic relationships.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry has not commented on the ban, merely stating in a faxed statement, “This issue should be inquired about with the U.S. side.”
According to Chinese regulations, China has also been strengthening strict controls over overseas personnel. In recent years, Beijing has begun to rigorously enforce rules that prohibit Chinese civil servants with foreign citizenship spouses from being promoted and restrict diplomats from staying long-term in one country, forcing some diplomats to return to China.
Several married officials in Taiwan have also been involved in “pro-China” incidents, indicating that espionage tactics that exploit human weaknesses remain effective.
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