People being incentivised to keep these relationships secret just gives even more leverage to the CCP if they successfully use this as an espionage tactic. I assume that’s what this is meant to guard against but surely it would have the opposite effect wouldn’t it?
Overtones of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell - Mk II, next it will be for all Government employees … nah that would never happen … right … right?
The headlines leave out the part where this is a requirement of their security clearance. It is not uncommon for those holding a security clearance to be discouraged or prohibited from relationships with foreign nationals. It also isn’t a direct prohibition, it would just result in a loss of their clearance, and you are absolutely correct that this will result in more leverage against US personnel.