US prosecutors on Thursday unsealed criminal charges against a Chinese national, saying China’s ruling Communist Party used an agent in California to influence the state’s politics.
FBI agents arrested Yaoning “Mike” Sun, 64, at his home in Chino Hills, near Los Angeles, on charges that he acted as an agent for a foreign government while getting involved in local politics.
The complaint claims Sun worked as a campaign manager and close confidant for an unnamed politician who was running for local elected office in 2022.
During the campaign, he was accused of conspiring with Chen Jun – a Chinese citizen who was sentenced to prison last month for acting as an illegal agent of Beijing – in connection with his efforts to get the politician elected. Is.
The US Justice Department said Chen discussed with Chinese government officials how he could influence local politicians, particularly on the issue of Taiwan.
China considers the self-ruled island of Taiwan as part of its territory.
Beijing – which has said it would never rule out using force to bring Taiwan under its control – was accused of using local influence campaigns along with other tactics to influence global opinion on the issue Is.
Charging documents say that after the local politician won office in late 2022, Chen instructed Sun to prepare a report on the election that would be sent to Chinese government officials, who expressed thanks for his work.
“The conduct alleged in this complaint is extremely troubling,” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada.
“We cannot allow hostile foreign powers to interfere in the governance of our country.”
Sun was charged with one count of acting as an illegal agent of a foreign government, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison.
He also faces one count of conspiracy to commit crimes against the United States, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.
Asked about the allegations on Friday, Beijing’s Foreign Ministry said it was “not aware of the details of the case you mentioned.”
But spokesman Lin Jian said, “China never interferes in the internal affairs of other countries.”
“The international community clearly sees who really wants to interfere in the internal affairs of other countries,” he said during a regular briefing.
