100 US diplomats return to China despite strained relations

Despite tensions with China, the United States has repatriated 100 more diplomats and their families repatriated to China due to the coronavirus.

The United States recalled about 1,200 diplomatic staff from various Chinese cities in February over the Corona epidemic.

According to reports, the United States wants to deploy all its diplomatic staff in China, despite failed trade talks with China and its controversial legislation on Hong Kong.

Bilateral relations have deteriorated to their lowest level in decades over issues including China’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic, bilateral trade and a new security law for Hong Kong.

Washington and Beijing have been negotiating for weeks over the terms of how to bring U.S. diplomats back and the top issues of disagreement have been testing and quarantine procedures as well the frequency of flights and how many one journey can bring back.

The State Department internally told its staff it received assurances from Beijing that parents would not be separated from their children if they tested positive.

But disagreements over other issues, such as testing being conducted in Chinese labs, have persisted.

Diplomats say agreeing to be tested contravenes the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. The internal email said that on arrival in China, adults and children of all ages should be prepared to be tested for COVID-19.

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