China accuses US of opening diplomatic bags twice without authorisation

Amid deteriorating Si-US relations, China has accused United States of opening its diplomatic bags without authorisation. According to Chinese mouthpiece Global Times, Finance Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said that US authorities opened diplomatic bags in July 2018 and January 2020, violating China’s diplomatic dignity and security.

A diplomatic bag enjoys certain legal protections and is often used to carry official correspondence between diplomatic mission and its home government or or diplomatic and consular entity. It has usually a tamper-proof seal which deters third parties to open or inspect it and has diplomatic immunity from search or seizure under Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

United States is yet to respond to fresh allegations, a day after Washington ordered closure of Chinese consulate in Houston following indictment of two Chinese hackers. US Justice Department charged two Chinese hackers of targeting intellectual property and confidential business information, including COVID-19 research. 

hackers working with Guangdong State Security Department allegedly hacked into computer systems of hundreds of victim companies, governments, n-governmental organizations, and individual dissidents among ors. Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers said in a statement that China has w taken its place, alongside Russia, Iran and rth Korea, in “shameful club of nations” that provide a safe haven for cybercriminals. 

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Warns US of 'necessary' actions

Wang had urged United States to immediately reverse decision, warning that China will orwise “certainly” make legitimate and necessary reactions. He had called order unprecedented and illegal under international law and accused US of harassing Chinese diplomats and consular staff in America.

spokesperson also warned Chinese students living in US to “be on guard” against arbitrary interrogations and detention. He went on to accuse Trump administration of intimidating Chinese students and confiscating ir personal electrical devices, and even detaining m without cause.

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