Washington (AFP) – The United States secretly expelled two Chinese embassy officials in September after they drove onto a sensitive military base in Virginia, The New York Times reported Sunday.
The newspaper, which cited people with knowledge of the episode, said it appeared to be the first time in more than 30 years that the US has expelled Chinese diplomats on suspicion of espionage.
At least one of the diplomats was believed to be an intelligence officer operating under cover, the Times said.
The Times said the diplomats, accompanied by their wives, drove up to the checkpoint at the entrance to a sensitive installation near Norfolk, Virginia that includes special operations forces.
Top Dems assert there’s risk ICE agents could ‘kill’ travelers under Trump airport plan
DNC’s suggestive post about Mamdani’s pothole blitz leaves social media speechless: ‘Wtf is this???’
Underperforming California school district paying enormous sum to teach kids with a ‘rap curriculum’
London police investigating Iran ties to Jewish ambulance arson after terrorist group claims responsibility
Ex-girlfriend, 3 others nabbed in killing tied to alleged murder-for-hire plot in ‘unusual’ case: police
Christian Preacher Scores Big Win for Religious Liberty After Liberal Supreme Court Justice Authors Surprising Opinion
Smithsonian unveils ‘Our Shared Future’ programming for America’s 250 celebrations
BREAKING: At Least 13 Airports Will Receive ICE Agents to Help with TSA Shortage
SCOTUS conservatives signal readiness to curb late-arriving mail ballots
Starmer focuses on economic threats after Iranian missiles fail to reach British base on Diego Garcia
House GOP targeting vulnerable Dems over DHS shutdown, TSA chaos
Atlanta airport asks travelers to arrive four hours early as ICE comes to help
Despite Trump Policies, Stanford Still Has This Woke DEI Program
Breaking: Trump Orders Halt to All Strikes on Iranian Energy Infrastructure as End to Conflict Near
Supreme Court reverses lower court on qualified immunity for Vermont police sergeant who arrested protester
The guard saw that they didn’t have permission to enter and directed them to go through the gates, turn around and exit.
The Chinese officials continued onto the base, evading military personnel pursuing them until they were forced to stop by fire trucks blocking their path, according to the Times.
It said the officials said they didn’t understand the guard’s instructions and got lost.
Weeks after the incident, the State Department placed restrictions on the activities of Chinese diplomats, in what it said was a response to years-old Chinese regulations limiting the movements of US diplomats.
Story cited here.
