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.
Eric Swalwell, Man Who Quit Congress In Part Due to Improper Contact With Staffers on Snapchat, Still Contacting Staffers on Snapchat
Trump administration to close Potomac golf course for championship-level renovations
After Spirit Airlines Goes Bust, Remember How Biden, Warren Stopped Merger to Save Airline Because It’d Mean ‘Fewer Flights’
Trump troop cuts in Europe could be blocked by Congress — here’s how he might get around it
Communist and socialist groups call for ‘revolution’ and seizure of property at Minneapolis May Day rally
Female Accused Would-Be Trump Assassin Walks Free Days After Third Assassination Attempt
Trump Greenlights ‘Keystone Light’ Pipeline to Help Replace Oil Source Infamously Blocked on Biden’s Day 1
ICE lines up to boot illegal immigrant child sex predator after bogus asylum claim, early prison release
Power the future sends letter to lawmakers over data
Beloved crossing guard killed by alleged drunk driver while helping kids cross the street in Louisiana
Mamdani allocates $500K for reparations talks as NYC faces $5.4B deficit
‘New Democrat party’: Senate GOP sounds off on ‘extreme’ Graham Platner as Senate race in Maine heats up
Would-Be Trump Assassin Wasn’t Only One Encountering ‘Insane’ Security Arrangement at Glitzy Dinner
Dr. Oz names 5 states in fraud crackdown as Trump admin targets Medicaid abuse
Report: Biden Admin Hid Planned Parenthood Loan Discussions Using Code Word ‘Benghazi’
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.
