Washington, D.C., USA: The United States ambassador to China has reportedly been caught in a honey trap. The Trump administration acted against a U.S. diplomat who was accused of engaging in a romantic relationship with a young Chinese woman, leading to his removal from the post.

An investigation conducted by the State Department revealed that the diplomat not only breached official protocols but also failed to report his relationship to his superiors. Following these findings, the diplomat was dismissed immediately by the Trump administration due to concerns over national security.

Experts note that Chinese intelligence services frequently use what is known as a "honeypot" strategy to gather sensitive information. For security reasons, officials have not revealed the identity of the ambassador who was removed.

In the past, the U.S. government has issued strict advisories to its personnel stationed in China. Staff members, their families, and contractors with security clearances are strictly prohibited from engaging in personal or physical relationships with Chinese nationals. U.S. intelligence agencies emphasise that honey trap operations by Chinese services are a persistent threat, and violations of these guidelines are taken very seriously.

The diplomat's removal comes amid rising tensions between the United States and China, and the decision has stirred significant debate within international diplomatic circles.

For those unfamiliar, a honey trap refers to a tactic where sensitive information is extracted by initiating a romantic or sexual relationship with the target. Perpetrators often create social media accounts under female identities and use these profiles to approach and manipulate individuals of interest.