The State Department will now require all Chinese foreign missions, including embassy staff and those working in consulates across the United States, to notify the Trump administration in advance of all official meetings held on American soil.
The new directive, U.S. officials say, is a response to China's ongoing constraints on American diplomats. In many cases, the communist government blocks American personnel in China from meeting with local officials, academics, and dissident groups, among others.
The U.S. restrictions are meant to pressure the Chinese government into providing American diplomats with greater freedom of movement and access to certain officials and groups.
"Until that happens, we are going to take some actions that will ... go some ways toward leveling the playing field," a senior State Department official, speaking only on background, told reporters.
"The State Department is going to be requiring that all of the [People's Republic of China] foreign missions‐their embassy and their various consulates around the United States‐will have to notify the Department of State in advance of official meetings with state officials, official meetings with local and municipal officials, official visits to educational institutions, and official visits to research institutions," the official said.