US to cut size of diplomatic mission in China by up to 10%: SCMP
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The United States is set to cut the size of its diplomatic mission in China by up to 10%.
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Outside the US embassy in Beijing, China on June 7, 2022. (AFP)
The South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported on Wednesday that the United States is set to cut the size of its diplomatic mission size in China by up to 10%.
US diplomats in mainland China, Hong Kong, and local employees may be notified as soon as Friday about a significant downsizing described as unprecedented, according to the SCMP.
According to the report, the cuts are set to impact the embassy in Beijing and consulates in Guangzhou, Shanghai, Shenyang, Wuhan, and Hong Kong. That said, it remains unclear whether those affected will be reassigned within the diplomatic service, but layoffs are anticipated.
Reducing wasteful spending
Two sources familiar with the situation told Reuters that the leadership of the mission to China had sent a message to embassy staff "refuting" the report. As a result, embassy spokespeople did not immediately respond to requests for comment, and the US State Department had no immediate statement.
Sources told Reuters last week that President Donald Trump's administration asked US embassies worldwide to prepare for staff cuts as part of the Republican president's effort to overhaul the US diplomatic corps.
Since Trump took office on January 20, he and his billionaire ally Elon Musk have been working to reduce US government spending that they deem wasteful.
Earlier this month, Trump's administration announced on February 5 that all directly hired USAID employees would be put on leave and recalled from abroad, in a significant overhaul that would uproot thousands of personnel's lives.
