In a recent development, a Chinese national residing in Southern California, identified as Yaoning "Mike" Sun, has been apprehended on charges of espionage for the People's Republic of China (PRC).
Sun, who previously managed a local city councilperson's campaign, is now under scrutiny for his alleged involvement in "malign" activities.
According to The Blaze, Sun was arrested by federal agents last Thursday in Chino Hills, California, a suburb located approximately 35 miles east of Los Angeles.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) press release suggests that Sun was operating as an unlawful agent for the PRC. He is also accused of conspiring with Chen Jun, also known as John Chen, another Chinese national who has already been convicted of federal crimes.
Chen, aged 71, was sentenced last month to a 20-month prison term for acting as an unregistered agent of the PRC and bribing an IRS agent, as per another DOJ press release. Before Chen's conviction, he and Sun were allegedly working together to support local candidates who were perceived as being sympathetic to PRC interests.
The duo reportedly sought to exert "influence" over these candidates, "particularly on the issue of Taiwan," the press release stated.
The politician whose campaign Sun managed was not named in the criminal complaint against him. The candidate, referred to as "Individual 1," was elected to a Southern California city council in 2022. Sun is described as having been Individual 1's "campaign manager and close personal confidante."
The complaint suggests that both before and after Individual 1's election, Chen was the orchestrator of the operation, with Sun providing regular updates on Individual 1's prospects. This information was then allegedly relayed to the Chinese Communist Party by Chen.
The complaint states, "CHEN was in frequent contact with SUN, whom he instructed to submit reports on Individual 1s election that he could then provide to the 'United Front' and get to the 'Big Bosss desk,'" The "United Front" is likely a reference to the "United Front Work Department ... of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party," while the "Big Boss" is presumably a high-ranking CCP official.
The complaint also indicates that Chen had direct interactions with Individual 1. On Election Day 2022, the day Individual 1 won the city council race, Individual 1 reportedly texted Chen, "Old SUN is contacting you. Please call him back. He is with me." Chen allegedly responded, "Got it, congratulations. Going back to the U.S. on the 15th, talk in person."
Chen is also reported to have told Individual 1: "[You are] doing a good job, I hope you can continue the good work, make Chinese people proud."
The criminal complaint suggests that Individual 1 might also be a Chinese national. It includes a detailed account of Individual 1's biographical information that Sun allegedly provided to Chen. Chen reportedly viewed both Sun and Individual 1 as members of a "basic team dedicated for us."
He purportedly aimed to establish a "US-China Friendship Promotion Association" and encouraged pro-China individuals to participate in American events such as the Rose Parade in L.A. and a July 4th parade in Washington, D.C., to counter "anti-China" sentiments.
The criminal complaint against Sun includes a photo of Chen shaking hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping, believed to have been taken in May 2021. However, there is no suggestion that Individual 1 has been accused of any crime.
Sun was listed as a campaign treasurer for Eileen Wang, who was elected to the Arcadia City Council in 2022, according to the AP. Both Wang and Sun are reportedly affiliated with U.S. News Center, a California-based news outlet. Wang has not responded to requests for comment.
Attempts to reach Sun for comment were unsuccessful, as the phone number associated with him had been disconnected. The AP was unable to identify an attorney who could speak on Sun's behalf.
United States attorney Martin Estrada expressed deep concern over the allegations against Sun, stating, "The conduct alleged in this complaint is deeply concerning the defendant is charged with acting on behalf of the Peoples Republic of China to influence our political system."
He further added, "This case is yet another example of a very disturbing trend: the Peoples Republic of China is seeking to influence foreign and domestic policy in the United States."
Akil Davis, the assistant director of the FBI field office in L.A., stated that Sun's case underscores the extent of the PRCs relentless intelligence and malign influence activities targeting the United States.
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