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.
Dems face uphill battle in challenge to Georgia Congressional map under new SCOTUS rules
Abdul El-Sayed peppered with questions on Hasan Piker link, fracture with Jewish Dems at Michigan convention
UN Told Merchant Ships Not to Arm Themselves Against Pirates as Piracy Escalates
NYC parolee accused of killing 2 in 48-hour robbery spree hauled in after manhunt, cops say
Video: Parent Trips Youth Football Player Who Was Headed for a Touchdown
Beer bandits swipe PBR truck hauling 50,000 cans in California, leaving brand pleading for help
Dem House hopeful’s delayed disclosure reveals mystery payments from Soros-linked groups
Trump touts access to 65 billion barrels of Venezuelan oil in deal he says will slash gas prices
Pennsylvania commissioner accuses Shapiro of ‘deceptive’ measles death framing as RFK Jr blasts Dem governor
MS NOW’s O’Donnell Fumes at Trump Sharing Old Military School Pic, Gets Every Aspect of His ‘Report’ Wrong During Tantrum
Tech Giant Details How Its AI Went Haywire
Canadian Nat’l Broadcaster Caves to Outrage, Will Refer to 9/11 as ‘Terrorist Attacks’ After Insane Internal Memo Leaked
Trump confirms Pentagon plans for 25th anniversary of 9/11 attacks, disputes report on Ground Zero absence
Pop star-turned-Dem candidate’s defense of graphic murder video resurfaces in key House race
Op-Ed: Family Formation Shouldn’t Be America’s Hardest Economic Choice
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.
