Two Chinese officials may have been expelled by the United States on suspicion of espionage after they invaded their base in Virginia in September.

The incident revealed by knowledgeable officials to the New York Times today could become the first expulsion of Chinese diplomats suspected of being spies since 1987. This also suggests Washington is acting tougher against Beijing's intelligence efforts.

The infiltration took place late September at a sensitive military base in the city of Norfolk, Virginia, where many secret US special forces were stationed. A Chinese embassy official and his wife went by car to the checkpoint. The police discovered they had no license to enter the base and asked Chinese officials to drive through the gate, then turned around to leave the site according to the procedure.

However, the car went straight to the base and stopped only when a fire engine blocked its way. "Chinese officials pretend not to understand the guards' orders and claim to be lost," the source, who understands the incident, added. The US authorities were skeptical of the testimony, saying that this person's English ability was sufficient to understand the request to leave the base.

"It is not clear what they intend to do in there, but many believe they are checking security at this location. If Chinese officials can enter the military area without obstruction, the embassy will not be allowed." can deploy higher-level intelligence officers, "another source said.

The information comes in the context of the Trump administration's concern that China is increasing espionage in the United States when the two countries confront because of trade wars and geopolitical interests. Many US intelligence officials claim that Beijing is a greater threat of espionage than any nation in the world.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry and the Chinese embassy in the US declined to comment. Two sources close to the embassy said the deported people were just going sightseeing and accidentally drove into the base. The US State Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) did not comment on the information.