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.
Urgent search underway for more than 20 people after Grand Canyon flash flood
DC public schools face special grand jury probe into attendance, truancy and graduation records
California bill recognizing 2 Islamic holidays nears Newsom’s desk
Tuskegee University president defends dress code amid criticism: ‘Raise the bar, students will reach it’
Trump indicates support for Christian-backed plan to help Canadian Jews escape antisemitism
Massive AI boom puts one of America’s oldest manufacturers on path to double in size, CEO says
Record High Americans Smoke Marijuana While Record Low Smoke Cigarettes
When DEI Becomes DIE: The Tragic Case Of Jason Arday
Huckleberry Finn And the New York Times’ Censor’s Logic
Hegseth Responds to Rumored 2028 Presidential Run
Bill Gates Claims ‘Bad Stuff Is Imminent’ as AI Accelerates
CBC Caves to Common Sense After Refusing to Refer to 9/11 as Terror Attack
Colorado city leader dies after collapsing on mountain hike: ‘Loss for our city’
Death toll rises to 38 after Russian strike on Ukrainian warehouse
Republicans tighten screws on Sherrill as noncitizen voter probe enters new phase
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.
