More Chinese Envoys Defect, U.S. Aide Says
WASHINGTON — A U.S. official said Friday that more Chinese diplomats had defected in the United States.
The official, speaking to reporters on grounds he not be identified, said the Chinese diplomats had joined two who defected in San Francisco this week, as well as a number of Chinese officials in other countries who have sought sanctuary since the government cracked down on pro-democracy demonstrators.
The names of the Chinese officials were not immediately disclosed.
The Washington Post, quoting unofficial sources, said two members of the Chinese Embassy in Washington had asked for U.S. protection. It identified them as Zhang Chiwei, a third secretary in the embassy’s press section, and his wife, Han Guohong, the embassy’s protocol officer.
2 Defect in San Francisco
Two Chinese diplomats in San Francisco--Vice Consul Zhou Liming and staff member Zhang Limin--publicly declared Tuesday that they were defecting.
The Canadian government said a number of Chinese diplomatic personnel are in the process of defecting to Canada but remained tight-lipped about details.
“I can confirm that there have been approaches by some officials of the Chinese Embassy indicating a desire to stay in Canada,” External Affairs Minister Joe Clark told reporters outside the House of Commons in Ottawa.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
