In a troubling revelation, an American citizen, Chen Jinping, has pleaded guilty to orchestrating what has been identified as the first clandestine police station in the United States, allegedly on behalf of the Chinese government. The prosecution asserts that this station, located in the heart of Manhattan's Chinatown and operational since early 2022, was instrumental in assisting China's Ministry of Public Security (MPS) in identifying pro-democracy activists within the United States.
Secret Chinese Police Station in NYC: American Citizen Pleads Guilty
Secret Chinese Police Station in NYC: American Citizen Pleads Guilty
An American man has owned up to managing an illicit Chinese police station in Manhattan, raising concerns about foreign influence in the US.
The existence of at least 100 similar stations reported in 53 countries has drawn the ire of rights organizations, which accuse China of utilizing these outposts to surveil, threaten, and intimidate Chinese nationals living abroad. Despite this, the Chinese government refutes these accusations, branding the stations as "service stations" that aim to provide administrative assistance to their nationals overseas.
While the station did offer basic services such as renewing driver licenses, it also played a role in helping Beijing locate and target pro-democracy advocates in the US, according to federal authorities. Matthew Olsen, an assistant attorney general in the US Department of Justice, condemned the operation as "a clear affront to American sovereignty" and a risk to public safety that would not be overlooked.
The unearthing of this operation led to its closure in the fall of 2022, following a probe by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). However, during the investigation, Chen and his co-defendant Lu Jianwang allegedly destroyed communication with an MPS official once they became aware of the escalating scrutiny.
Both men, American citizens, faced arrest in April of the previous year. Chen, aged 60, has since pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges related to acting as an agent for the Chinese government and is facing up to five years in prison when sentencing occurs next year. His plea has been recognized as a serious indication of the sinister tactics deployed by the Chinese regime to intimidate those who oppose it. Conversely, Lu, 59, maintains his innocence and awaits trial, with prosecutors accusing him of harassment efforts directed at a Chinese fugitive while also assisting in the tracking of a pro-democracy figure in California for the Communist Party.
This monumental case marks a significant milestone, being the first time US authorities have initiated criminal proceedings linked to undercover police stations of this kind. Olsen has ensured US citizens that authorities remain steadfast in their commitment to pursue anyone aiding the People's Republic of China's (PRC) endeavors to extend their oppressive tactics within the US.
The issues of espionage extend beyond this case, with significant recent developments involving former aides and members of the MPS, indicating a broader pattern of Chinese influence and interference in American sovereignty.
While the station did offer basic services such as renewing driver licenses, it also played a role in helping Beijing locate and target pro-democracy advocates in the US, according to federal authorities. Matthew Olsen, an assistant attorney general in the US Department of Justice, condemned the operation as "a clear affront to American sovereignty" and a risk to public safety that would not be overlooked.
The unearthing of this operation led to its closure in the fall of 2022, following a probe by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). However, during the investigation, Chen and his co-defendant Lu Jianwang allegedly destroyed communication with an MPS official once they became aware of the escalating scrutiny.
Both men, American citizens, faced arrest in April of the previous year. Chen, aged 60, has since pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges related to acting as an agent for the Chinese government and is facing up to five years in prison when sentencing occurs next year. His plea has been recognized as a serious indication of the sinister tactics deployed by the Chinese regime to intimidate those who oppose it. Conversely, Lu, 59, maintains his innocence and awaits trial, with prosecutors accusing him of harassment efforts directed at a Chinese fugitive while also assisting in the tracking of a pro-democracy figure in California for the Communist Party.
This monumental case marks a significant milestone, being the first time US authorities have initiated criminal proceedings linked to undercover police stations of this kind. Olsen has ensured US citizens that authorities remain steadfast in their commitment to pursue anyone aiding the People's Republic of China's (PRC) endeavors to extend their oppressive tactics within the US.
The issues of espionage extend beyond this case, with significant recent developments involving former aides and members of the MPS, indicating a broader pattern of Chinese influence and interference in American sovereignty.
