In a shocking revelation, federal prosecutors have accused Linda Sun, a former officer in the administration of Governor Andrew Cuomo, of adding a Chinese government official to a private conference call with New York state officials during the Covid-19 pandemic in March 2020. The indictment against Sun, which spans 64 pages, alleges that she used her positions in the New York state government to benefit the Chinese government. In return, Sun and her family allegedly received various benefits, including kickbacks, free travel, and even a shipment of more than a dozen Nanjing-style salted ducks.

According to prosecutors, during the conference call, Sun admonished the Chinese official to keep their phone muted in a written message. At the end of the 32-minute discussion, the Chinese official reportedly sent Sun a two-word review, deeming the call "very useful." This incident is just one example of China's elaborate efforts to spy and exert influence across American society, including targeting local and state officials.

Experts, including former CIA official Dennis Wilder, assert that this case is a classic operation by China's Ministry of State Security. Instead of directly targeting American citizens, China focuses on naturalized citizens who maintain strong connections to China, such as language skills and family ties. The ultimate goal appears to be disrupting Taiwan's interests globally, even within communities like Chinatowns or state legislatures in the United States. With individuals like Sun in positions of power, they can advocate for pro-Beijing policies while suppressing support for Taiwan.

Craig Singleton, a senior China fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, views this case as a clear illustration of China's strategy to infiltrate and manipulate American institutions from within. He highlights the similarities with concerns surrounding TikTok, emphasizing the extent to which China is willing to go to exert influence and collect data in the United States. Sun's case is part of a larger trend of federal prosecutors accusing individuals in New York of being secret Chinese agents.

Recent cases involving individuals like Yuanjun Tang and Shujun Wang have further highlighted how China uses covert actors to spy on political dissidents and gather information for the Chinese government. Tang allegedly helped Chinese authorities infiltrate encrypted messaging applications used by dissidents, while Wang used his reputation to collect information and share it with China's Ministry of State Security. In addition, Chinese nationals Lu Jianwang and Chen Jinping were arrested for operating an illegal police station in New York to monitor and intimidate Chinese government critics.

The Chinese government has consistently denied these allegations, with spokesperson Mao Ning stating that they oppose any attempts to implicate or slander China. Liu Pengyu, the spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in Washington, also highlighted the U.S. government and media's tendency to hype up "Chinese agent" narratives, many of which have been proven untrue.

Linda Sun, a naturalized U.S. citizen born in China, worked in New York state government for approximately 15 years. Alongside her husband Chris Hu, who has also been charged, Sun enjoyed a luxurious lifestyle, owning multimillion-dollar properties and luxury cars, allegedly funded by the Chinese government. Experts note that Chinese-Americans with extensive family connections in China are vulnerable to recruitment by the Chinese government due to the potential leverage they hold over their families.

While this case sheds light on China's espionage efforts in the United States, it is important to acknowledge that similar allegations have emerged in Canada and across Europe. China continues to deny these accusations, reiterating its stance against groundless slandering and smearing.

As the trial unfolds, authorities are likely to closely examine the extent of China's influence and the potential implications for U.S. governance at all levels.