WASHINGTON – The US State Department is preparing to authorize departures for American diplomats and their families in China who wish to leave due to the US government's inability to prevent Chinese authorities from subjecting them to intrusive pandemic control measures, sources told Reuters. Two sources familiar with the issue said the US Embassy on Monday had sent the request to Washington for formal sign off, as China ramps up COVID-19 containment protocols ahead of the opening of the Beijing Winter Olympics in less than two weeks. The sources, speaking to Reuters on the condition of anonymity due to the…