U.S. Bans American Government Employees From Romantic Or Sexual Relationships With Chinese Citizens

The U.S. government has banned American government officials in China from any romantic or sexual relationships with Chinese citizens.

The new policy was implemented by departing U.S. Ambassador Nicholas Burns in January.

The policy is the first “non-fraternization” policy issued by a U.S. agency since the Cold War.

U.S. bans all government staff in China from sexual relationships with Chinese citizens.https://t.co/BipcVxSJ4e pic.twitter.com/I0WVZm8qfH

— Tony Seruga (@TonySeruga) April 3, 2025

When was this ever legal?? https://t.co/0Zzj08KZBT

— Baaahonk (@baaahonk) April 3, 2025

Here’s what AP reported:

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.

Though some U.S. agencies already had strict rules on such relationships, a blanket “non-fraternization” policy, as it is known, has been unheard of publicly since the Cold War. It’s not uncommon for American diplomats in other countries to date locals and even marry them.

A more limited version of the policy was enacted last summer prohibiting U.S. personnel from “romantic and sexual relations” with Chinese citizens working as guards and other support staff at the U.S. Embassy and five consulates in China. But Burns, the departing ambassador, broadened it to a blanket ban on such relations with any Chinese citizen in China in January, days before President Donald Trump took office. The AP was unable to determine exactly how the policy defined the phrase “romantic or sexual relationship.”

Two of the people with knowledge of the ban told the AP the new policy was first discussed last summer after members of Congress contacted Burns to express concern that restrictions on such relationships were not stringent enough. The House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party did not respond to a request for comment.

Though some U.S. agencies already had strict rules on such relationships, a blanket “non-fraternization” policy, as it is known, has been unheard of publicly since the Cold War.https://t.co/qcpJ05J13e

— TheodoreHagemann (@Cue8baal) April 3, 2025

There is no truth to the rumor that this is quietly being called the “Eric Swalwell rule”.