US diplomats could be allowed to leave China due to COVID-19 restrictions: report

American diplomats and their families in China may be allowed to leave the country soon due to China’s strict COVID-19 requirements, sources told Reuters.

The sources said the State Department is contemplating letting the diplomats leave as the U.S. has not done anything to mitigate China’s control over U.S. officials in the country.

Two sources told the outlet a formal request to the U.S. was made by the embassy on Monday for people to leave as one source said an internal survey showed at least 25 percent of officials would leave China if allowed.

The sources said diplomats and families have been forced into COVID-19 fever clinics and separated from their children, with one person saying officials want to home-quarantine and only go to a clinic voluntarily. 

The diplomats and family are upset the U.S. hasn’t done more to combat these measures such as place their own restrictions on Chinese officials in the U.S. One source said the U.S. has not received confirmation of fair treatment for officials during the pandemic either, according to Reuters.

The State Department did not confirm the request by the embassy to Reuters.

“Any change in operating status of this nature would be predicated solely on the health, safety, and security of our colleagues and their family members,” a State Department spokesperson said.

China has had some of the strictest coronavirus measures during the pandemic, with the country shutting down whole cities with millions of people over a few cases.

Further restrictions are underway as China is preparing to host the Winter Olympics on Feb. 4.

The Hill has reached out to the State Department for comment.