The U.S. government banned employees and personnel in China from having romantic or sexual relationships with Chinese citizens.

According to the Associated Press, four sources said that former U.S. Ambassador Nicholas Burns put the policy into place before leaving his post.

A watered-down version of the new policy was tested in summer 2024, which banned U.S. government employees in China from having “romantic and sexual relations” with Chinese citizens who were employed as support staff and guards at five consulates in China as well as the U.S. embassy.

Burns expanded that policy to cover all Chinese citizens just days before President Trump took office.

Chinese citizens wait to submit their visa applications at the US Embassy. (MARK RALSTON/AFP/GettyImages)

Individuals who violate the policy will be forced to leave China.

The policy doesn’t apply to U.S. employees located outside of China.

Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers a New Year message through China Media Group and the internet Tuesday evening in Beijing to ring in 2025.  (Ju Peng/Xinhua via Getty Images)

The Chinese government employs a similar policy for overseas personnel, barring them from having sexual or romantic relationships with foreign citizens.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.