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.
James Talarico’s adoptive father linked to X account mocking Christianity and women
Fauci Diary Entry Complains Trump Pushed Lab-Leak Theory ‘With No Evidence’
Cyberattack Turns Hundreds of Grocery Coolers Into Saunas – Dozens of US Military Stores Faced Similar, Unexplained Attack
Trump tries different approach with Russia to bring Americans relief amid ongoing war with Ukraine
House panel warns Singham-linked nonprofits: Comply with subpoenas or face Congress
Lawsuit Accuses McDonald’s of AI Scheme to Nickel-And-Dime Customers ‘Down to the Last French Fry’
Even NBC Admits It: Trump Rallies Are Galvanizing Voters, Could Impact Midterms in Battleground States
Talarico’s Texas-sized opening: Paxton can’t unite Republican vote
Mamdani praised over move to dismantle controversial NYC industry — but insiders say there’s more to the story
Becoming a lawyer could get cheaper and faster under looming Trump admin shakeup
Michigan Democrat confirms sister-in-law’s terror watchlist lawsuit days before Obama campaign appearance
Top takeaways from JD Vance town hall: Costly gas, DC corruption, immigration hot takes and the war
‘No Kings’ protesters spurn organizers’ rules: ‘This is as partisan as you can get’
Minnesota Senate race takes bizarre turn after dark family history uncovered
Bend school district honors slain teacher, praises staff member’s courage during attack: ‘Forever grateful’
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.
