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.
Trump announces he’ll helm movement to eliminate mail-in voting and voting machines: ‘FIGHT LIKE HELL’
Bill Barr arrives for Oversight Committee investigation into Epstein
Tariff uncertainty threatens $490B in US manufacturing investment, report warns
US and Ukraine Hammer Out Details of Zelensky’s Outfit Ahead of White House Visit: Report
Illegal immigrant accused of killing 3 in Florida highway crash crossed border into California in 2018: DHS
Look: Lib Tries to Embarrass Vance With Pic Comparing Him and Newsom as Kids, Then Internet Sends Avalanche of Humiliating Newsom Pics
Trump enters Zelensky summit with approval ‘surging upward’
Suspect took ‘specific’ actions before fatal attack on country singer’s mom, former FBI agent says
Bill Barr, former Trump attorney general, to face House investigators in Epstein probe
Watch: Comey Drops Surreal Video on Taylor Swift – So Strange You Would Swear It’s AI, but It’s Not
Trump Officially Calls for Sen. Warren to Take Drug Test: Will It Go Better Than Her DNA Test?
SCOOP: Stacy Garrity launches Republican campaign for Pennsylvania governor
Israel wants to take control of the West Bank. Is it legal?
Toddler’s death among fatalities in latest Russian drone attack on Ukraine
Zelenskyy arrives in Washington, DC for Trump meeting, urges lasting peace with Russia
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.
