This archive report was first published on 16 December 2019.
On December 16, 2019, China's foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang called the expulsion of two Chinese diplomats from the US a 'mistake'.
The diplomats were expelled in September after they drove into a sensitive military base in Virginia, sparking a diplomatic spat between the world's two biggest economies.
Commenting on the incident, Geng Shuang said the accusations against the diplomats were 'completely contrary to the facts'.
According to The New York Times, the incident appeared to be the first time in over 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 reported.
China has lodged 'solemn representations and protests' to the US, calling for Washington to 'protect the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese diplomats'.
