The federal government has banned American personnel in China from having romantic or sexual relationships with citizens of the communist nation amid national security concerns.

The new blanket non-fraternization policy, which has not been seen at such a scale since the Cold War, was indeed implemented by Ambassador Nicholas Burns shortly before he departed the post at the start of this year, days ahead of the inauguration of President Donald Trump.

American personnel were banned last summer from romantic and sexual relations with Chinese citizens working as guards and other positions at the embassy and consulates. The expanded ban on such relations was reportedly encouraged to Burns last year by members of Congress.

The new policy applies to all missions in mainland China, such as the embassy in Beijing and the consulates in Guangzhou, Shanghai, Shenyang, Wuhan, and semi-autonomous Hong Kong.

Americans who have preexisting relations with Chinese citizens can apply for exemptions, but if they are denied, they must either end the relationship or resign from their government position. Those who break the non-fraternization policy will be ordered to depart the country immediately.

Before the ban on romantic and sexual relationships, personnel were merely required to report any intimate contact with Chinese nationals to their superiors, but were not barred from them.

Chinese intelligence services have been known to send attractive women to seduce American officials and attempt to access national security secrets. American personnel are shown case studies about the honeypot schemes before they are sent to start their positions in China.