Uproar in China and other Asian nations over ‘US spies through embassies’ report

(RT) China and a number of South Asian governments have demanded an explanation from Washington over allegations that US embassies - as well as embassies of US allies - were used for NSA surveillance.

The diplomatic row has been caused by the Sydney Morning Herald’s report, which said the NSA collected its data in Asian countries by having its equipment installed inside US embassies and also in the diplomatic missions of the other ‘Five Eye’ nations, which includes Australia, Britain and Canada.

Beijing said it was “extremely concerned” by the news and was seeking clarification from the US.

"We also demand that foreign embassies in China and their staff respect the Vienna Convention ... and other international treaties and not get involved in any activities which do not accord with their status or post and harm China's security and interests," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, Hua Chunying, said on Thursday.

The news of the data collection facilities operating out of the embassies in Jakarta, Bangkok, Hanoi, Bejing, and Dili was based on the documents leaked by NSA whistleblower, Edward Snowden.
The news that the US agency carried out espionage through foreign embassies has also provoked outrage in Indonesia, with the country’s Foreign Minister, Marty Natalegawa, saying the issue had been raised with the US chargé d'affaires in Jakarta.

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