When it comes to foreign troops in China, it is estimated that many people's first reaction is "What? Is this still going on?" Yes, in our capital, Beijing, there is a foreign armed force. It is small in number and small in scale, but it has been stationed for more than 50 years, and it cannot be driven away.
This unit is the United States Marine Corps Guard Corps, specifically the group of people stationed in the United States Embassy in China. From the beginning of the United States' liaison office in Beijing in 1973, to today, 2025, this team has been the only foreign military on Chinese soil.
To talk about the history of this force, it is necessary to start with Nixon's visit to China in 1972. That year, President Nixon came to China and broke the ice between the two countries for more than 20 years. In February 1972, he shook hands with Chinese leaders in Beijing and signed the "Shanghai Communiqué", which was a beginning of Sino-US relations. By May 1973, the United States had established a liaison office in China in Beijing's Dongjiaominxiang, which was a temporary "embassy" responsible for communication between the two countries before the establishment of diplomatic relations.
As soon as the liaison office was established, the Americans sent diplomats and more than 20 Marines with them, saying they wanted to protect the security of the embassy. According to Americans, this is quite common in the United States. Their 1948 Diplomatic Agencies Act stipulates that the security of overseas embassies must be the responsibility of the Marine Corps, which is an "international practice." But this is after all in the capital of China, and foreign troops come in with guns. Who wouldn't be nervous? China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs protested on the spot, saying that you armed men entered the country without consent. What happened?
The Americans quickly explained that these soldiers were on guard and had no other intentions, and they promised not to cause trouble. As for the Chinese side, they weighed it and reluctantly agreed to let them stay, but the premise was to stay honest and not run around. Later, these soldiers were really honest for a few days, but soon, trouble came.
In 1974, these Marines couldn't hold back in Beijing and had nothing to do. They held a "softball federation" event outside the liaison office. You can say how big this is, but in China at the time, this was a sensitive issue. Foreign troops were running around the capital and organizing activities, and who didn't have hair on their bodies? The Chinese government saw this posture and directly said to the US: What are you doing? Quickly withdraw people!
The Americans have nothing to argue about. After all, they are at a loss, so they can only withdraw the Marines from Beijing in disgrace. After that, the security work of the liaison office was handed over to some foreign security officials, and the Marines temporarily disappeared from Beijing. Although this matter is not big, it also shows China's attitude towards foreign troops - let alone stationed, not even casual activities.
In 1979, Sino-US relations finally took a big step forward. On January 1, 1979, the two countries officially established diplomatic relations, and the US embassy officially opened in Beijing. This time, the Americans proposed to let the Marines come back, saying that the security of the embassy could not be sloppy, and it had to be watched by its own people. The Chinese government, although not happy, knew that this was a common practice in the world, and the embassies of countries like the Soviet Union and Japan also had similar arrangements. The key is that at this time, China and the United States had just established diplomatic relations, and everyone wanted to improve relations, and no one wanted to get stuck on this issue.
So the two sides sat down and settled on a bunch of rules. The Chinese side's requirements were particularly strict: the number of Marines could not exceed 50, the scope of activities could only be in the courtyard of the embassy, you had to apply for approval in advance and wear civilian clothes. Guns were locked in the museum and were not allowed to be taken out casually. If something happened, you should bear the consequences. The Americans weighed it up, felt acceptable, and agreed. Beginning in 1979, the Marine Corps Guard Corps officially returned to Beijing and was stationed in the American Embassy.
This time, they learned to be smart and kept a low profile. The soldiers basically didn't leave the yard, and their daily work was to stand guard, patrol, and protect the safety of the embassy's confidential documents and personnel. As for the security outside, it was all handed over to the Chinese Armed Police Force, with a clear division of labor inside and outside, and no one should cross the line.
To be honest, this Marine Corps is having a difficult time in Beijing because the China government has imposed restrictions on them enough to write a book. Let's go through them one by one:
The number of people cannot be more: the maximum number is 50, and no one can exceed it.
Small scope of activity: can only hang around in the embassy yard and go out? Don't even think about it unless you approve it.
Wear civilian clothes: You must wear civilian clothes when you leave the yard. Military uniforms are absolutely not enough, let alone guns.
Gun locked: Weapons can only be used in the embassy, and they must be locked tightly in case of danger.
No events: not to mention softball, not even parties, and the name of the Marine Corps cannot be played casually.
Someone outside is watching: The security outside the embassy is all the work of the Chinese armed police, you can take care of your yard.
These rules sound like a big deal, but Americans really have no temper. After all, they are in other people's territory, so it would be good to stay. On the other hand, China has given enough face. It has neither chased people away nor made this force a threat. It is a diplomatic balance.
The fact that this unit has been able to stay in Beijing for more than 50 years without being expelled is, to put it bluntly, the result of a bunch of factors in Sino-US relations.
When the establishment of diplomatic relations was established in 1979, both China and the United States had to make concessions. The Americans want the Marines to be stationed, and China does not want foreign troops to stand on its own territory, but for the sake of the overall situation, China relaxed. The United States is also willing to accept strict restrictions, and both sides will take a step back, and the matter will be settled.
Embassies have armed guards, which is not unusual internationally. The Soviet Embassy in Washington also had its own guards, as did the United States in Moscow. If China wants to integrate into the international community, this practice is more or less recognized. Strict control of the Marine Corps, both to maintain sovereignty, but not against international rules, quite smart move.
In the past 50 years, Sino-US relations have not been smooth sailing. There were quarrels during the Cold War, conflicts in the 1990s, and trade wars in the 21st century. But this force has not been driven away, why? Because it has become a "tacit understanding" in the relationship between the two countries. To drive away is to tear your face, and no one wants to go to that point. Keeping it is a signal that we can still talk, and it has not reached the point of dead.
In 2008, the U.S. Embassy moved from Dongjiaomin Lane to the new location of Liangmaqiao, and the Marine Corps also followed. The new building is bigger and has better conditions, but the rules have not changed at all. They still stayed in the yard honestly and there was no change.
By 2025, the Marines' days in Beijing will be completely normal. Their numbers will still be limited to 50, and their daily work will be to stand guard, patrol, and protect the security of the embassy. They go out in civilian clothes, keep a low profile like ordinary people, and rarely even take out their guns. The Chinese armed police are guarding outside, and they stay inside, not breaking the river.
Young people today may not know that there is such a foreign army in the embassy, after all, they are too low-key. But these people are still there, working step by step every day, witnessing the ups and downs of Sino-US relations.
What do you think is the significance of this army? Who can't stand guard? Even China armed police can do it. But the significance of it staying here for more than 50 years is not simple.
First, it is a microcosm of the relationship between China and the United States. From the 1973 tentative, to the 1979 compromise, to the current normalization, every step is tied to the foreign policies of the two countries. If it stays here, it means that China and the United States have not completely turned their backs.
Secondly, it is also a symbol. It symbolizes China's respect for international rules, and it also symbolizes some kind of trust in China by the United States. After all, it takes some confidence to have even 50 foreign troops stationed in the capital.
In the end, it is a reminder. Remind us that no matter how troublesome Sino-US relations are, we must leave some room. This force has not been expelled, which means that the two countries are still testing and adapting to each other.
It is anyone's guess whether this force will be able to stay in Beijing in the future. If Sino-US relations are completely good, there may be no need to be so wary; if they are completely broken, these 50 people will probably have to pack up and leave. But for now, they can continue to stay low-key and witness the next part of history.
After all, the more than 50 years of the United States Marine Corps Guard Corps in Beijing is quite an interesting story. Neither earth-shattering nor trivial, it just stayed so quietly and became the only foreign army on Chinese soil. You say you can't drive it away, it really didn't go away; you say you welcome it, and no one really welcomed it. It can only be said that this is a small episode in the diplomacy of great powers, which is very intriguing.