Arrest of Ex-NY Governor’s Aide Highlights Crackdown on Chinese Agents

NEW YORK (AP) — Authorities have uncovered a covert Chinese police station operating in New York City, revealing alarming efforts by the Chinese Communist Party to surveil and intimidate Chinese expatriates in the U.S. The situation escalated recently as federal prosecutors charged a former aide to two New York governors with acting as an agent for the Chinese government.

The U.S. Department of Justice has ramped up prosecutions targeting covert agents working on behalf of Beijing in recent years. In Brooklyn alone, federal authorities have initiated criminal cases against more than 90 individuals in the past four years, with Linda Sun’s arrest marking the latest and most shocking development.

Sun, who previously served as deputy chief of staff to Governor Kathy Hochul and as an aide to former Governor Andrew Cuomo, is accused of facilitating the Chinese government’s influence in American politics. The charges reflect a growing concern about China’s strategy to manipulate U.S. policies at various levels of government.

While many associate foreign influence with espionage activities involving military secrets, China’s approach has included fostering connections with local government officials who hold sway over ordinary civic matters such as land use and labor policies.

According to Adam Hickey, a former senior Justice Department official, China has been meticulously developing relationships within state and local governments. He noted the importance of these connections in advancing their political interests.

Prosecutors allege that Sun cultivated a close relationship with personnel at the Chinese consulate in New York, executing their directives in ways that, while less dramatic than typical spy narratives, carried significant implications. One of the standout allegations against her is that she actively sabotaged efforts by Taiwanese representatives to engage with New York state officials, reflecting the Chinese government’s claim over Taiwan.

Sun is also claimed to have encouraged both Cuomo and Hochul to express gratitude towards Chinese companies for contributions during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as soliciting talking points from Chinese officials for a Lunar New Year video message that Hochul recorded. It is alleged that she manipulated the message to omit any mention of human rights issues.

Additionally, Sun purportedly provided unauthorized invites from the governor’s office, enabling Chinese officials to enter the U.S. In return for her activities, Sun reportedly received tickets to Chinese cultural events and food items sent to her family. More significantly, it is alleged that she helped her husband’s business dealings in China, leading to substantial financial gains, including a multi-million dollar mansion on Long Island.

Both Sun and her husband, Chris Hu, have pleaded not guilty to the charges. Sun’s attorney expressed that she is understandably distressed by the accusations, though specific comments on the case were withheld.

Governor Hochul reacted to the allegations by labeling them as a severe betrayal of the officials’ trust, emphasizing the gravity of Sun’s alleged actions within the administration.

The attempts by foreign agents to manipulate American politics are part of a broader strategy to shape perceptions favorably towards China. FBI Director Christopher Wray mentioned that the Chinese government often targets politicians in lesser roles, anticipating their future rise in influence.

Over the past five years, the Justice Department has charged dozens of Chinese nationals, most of whom have eluded capture. Those facing charges include over 40 officials from China’s Ministry of Public Security, accused of harassing dissidents, and operatives stalked individuals in the U.S. to coerce them into returning to China.

Notably, a pro-democracy Chinese American scholar was convicted recently for passing information on dissidents to the Chinese government. Additionally, a Chinese operative was charged in connection with a plot to undermine a congressional candidate in New York.

Chinese officials have dismissed concerns about these actions, arguing that they are overstated and claiming to focus on international law enforcement initiatives targeting fugitives, which they assert includes providing services to expatriates. The embassy has characterized the police station reports as fabrications aimed at undermining China’s operations abroad.

Activists, like Yaqiu Wang from Freedom House, support federal efforts to counteract Chinese influence while urging that such measures be implemented judiciously to prevent racial profiling and civil rights violations. Past initiatives like the China Initiative targeting foreign espionage faced criticism for perceived biases against Chinese Americans, prompting a rebranding under the Biden administration.

It’s essential to find a balance in these efforts to uphold civil rights while effectively addressing genuine national security concerns. Americans should not live in fear of unwarranted accusations or prejudice based on their ethnicity.

Source: Associated Press