US to cut size of diplomatic mission in China by up to 10%

20/2/2025 16:14

The United States is set to cut the size of its diplomatic mission in China by up to 10%, the South China Morning Post reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the situation.



American diplomats working in mainland China and Hong Kong as well as local employees might be given notice as early as Friday in a round of downsizing that the media outlet described as unprecedented.



The cuts would affect the embassy in Beijing and the consulates in Guangzhou, Shanghai, Shenyang and Wuhan, as well as the consulate in Hong Kong, the SCMP said.



It was not clear whether any of those affected would be reassigned elsewhere in the diplomatic service, but layoffs are expected, it added.



Two sources familiar with the situation told Reuters the leadership of the mission to China had sent out a message to embassy staff "refuting" the report. Embassy spokespeople did not immediately respond to a request for comment and the U.S. State Department had no immediate comment.



President Donald Trump's administration has asked U.S. embassies worldwide to prepare for staff cuts, sources told Reuters last week, as part of the Republican president's effort to overhaul the U.S. diplomatic corps.