The Trump administration has prohibited American government personnel in China with security clearances, as well as their family members and contractors, from engaging in romantic and sexual relationships with Chinese citizens. According to information obtained by the Associated Press (AP), the US government has imposed a new ban on American government personnel in China. In addition to personnel, family members with security clearances, and contractors have been banned from entering romantic or sexual relationships with Chinese citizens. Four individuals directly knowledgeable about the matter informed AP that this policy was implemented shortly before the departure of US Ambassador Nicholas Burns from China in January. While some US institutions already had strict rules regarding such relationships, a general “no fraternization” policy has not been publicized since the Cold War. It is uncommon for American diplomats in other countries to become romantically involved, and even marry, locals. A more limited version of this policy had been in place since last summer, prohibiting US personnel working at the US Embassy and five consulates in China from engaging in “romantic and sexual relationships” with Chinese citizens. However, Ambassador Burns, who left his post just days before President Donald Trump took office, expanded this ban in January to include a general prohibition on such relationships with any Chinese citizen in China. Two individuals familiar with the ban told AP that the new policy was discussed after members of Congress contacted Burns last summer expressing concerns that restrictions on such relationships were “not stringent enough.”