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.
Virginia Dems take tax hikes into overtime, target fantasy football leagues
Republican majority at risk? A look at the 6 GOP Senate seats most in jeopardy in midterm elections
Mob of anti-ICE activists to march on Portland mayor’s home
Epstein files implode British politics with ‘biggest scandal’ in ‘over one century’
Hegseth ending military education ties with Harvard amid Trump feud: ‘We train warriors, not wokesters’
Hegseth says National Guard members shot in DC ambush by Afghan national will receive Purple Heart
SBA freezes over 100,000 California borrowers in sweeping $9B pandemic fraud crackdown
Israeli Government-Funded ‘Mobile Museum’ Set to Visit US Churches to Promote Zionism
Hundreds of Bizarre References to ‘Pizza’ in New Epstein Documents Raise Eyebrows
Watch: NFL Players Accidentally Prove Bad Bunny Is a Horrible Choice for Super Bowl Halftime Show
Conservative firebrand vows to purge ‘RINOs’ in battle to replace retiring Vern Buchanan in open Florida seat
When anti-ICE clashes trigger federal intervention: Experts explain the constitutional breaking point
North Carolina man charged with three counts of statutory rape held on ICE detainer
Nancy Guthrie’s Neighbor Details Mysterious Sighting Shortly Before Disappearance
Fox News Campus Radicals Newsletter: Top teachers’ union under fire, anti-ICE agitator network exposed
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.
