U.S. bans staff in China from romantic, sexual relations with Chinese

Ambassador under Biden enacted policy before leaving post

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Uniformed and plainclothes security officers stand guard outside the U.S. Embassy in Beijing in 2022. Tensions between the U.S. and China have escalated over trade, technology and geopolitical competition in recent years.  © AP

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The U.S. government has banned American government personnel in China, as well as family members and contractors with security clearances, from any romantic or sexual relationships with Chinese citizens, The Associated Press has learned.

Four people with direct knowledge of the matter told the AP about the policy, which was put into effect by departing U.S. Ambassador Nicholas Burns in January shortly before he left China. The people would speak only on condition of anonymity to discuss details of a confidential new directive.

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