Chinese diplomats in the United States face new limits on travel and meetings in the U.S., Secretary of State Michael Pompeo said, as the Trump administration moves to match Communist Party restrictions on American diplomats and impose costs for what it calls unfair treatment.
Under the new rules, senior Chinese diplomats must get approval to visit university campuses or meet with local officials, the State Department said in a statement Wednesday. Also, any Chinese-hosted cultural events outside of consular posts will need approval if the audience is larger than 50 people. And the State Department will require that diplomatic social media accounts are identified as government-controlled.
"We’re simply demanding reciprocity,” Pompeo told reporters, indicating that the U.S. restrictions would be lifted if China removes its requirements. "Access for our diplomats in China should be reflective of the access that Chinese diplomats in the United States have.”