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.
Ex-DOJ officials shut down FBI agent’s questions about Clinton campaign allegations, emails show
DNC staffers ruthlessly mocked for fuming over remote work reversal: ‘Get yourselves together’
Russian spy ship detected just miles from Hawaii coastline prompts US Coast Guard response
Arizona lawmakers’ flight makes emergency landing in Kansas City after passenger disruption
Trump shares adorable moment with kids visiting Oval Office: ‘My name is Donald’
Emotional Sharon Osbourne Plays the Message Trump Left Her After Ozzy’s Death: ‘He Didn’t Have to Call’
UN Ambassador Waltz reveals Trump’s Middle East peace plan is ‘the only way forward’
House Democrat claims Trump spent Thanksgiving 2017 with Epstein, citing emails
Judge who ordered release of 600 Chicago illegal immigrants slammed by DHS as activist putting lives at risk
Far-Left Congressman Eric Swalwell Has Been Referred to the Justice Department for Criminal Charges
Arizona Dem tears into her own party over trend she deems antisemitic: ‘Sick and tired’
DOJ challenges California’s Prop 50 map in escalating fight over House majority
Observers stunned as Nikki Haley takes harder line than Trump on Chinese student visa plan
Noem Hands Out $10K Bonus Checks To Appreciative TSA Agents Who Stood Their Posts During Shutdown
Leavitt Schools Liberal Media in How Trump’s Successfully Cleaning Up Biden’s Inflation Mess
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.
