In a significant development highlighting China's efforts to influence U.S. politics, Linda Sun, a former aide to the New York governor, was charged this week by New York prosecutors for acting as an illegal agent for the Chinese government. Sun, who held several roles in the New York state government, including deputy chief of staff for Gov. Kathy Hochul, is accused of promoting Chinese interests at state functions and obstructing representatives from Taiwan from meeting with state officials in exchange for millions of dollars in financial benefits.

This latest case, prosecuted by the U.S. Department of Justice, is part of a series of efforts to identify and eliminate Beijing's agents on U.S. soil. While previous cases involved charges against suspected Chinese spies monitoring dissidents critical of the Communist Party, Tuesday's case suggests a direct attempt by China to exert influence over U.S. politics, even at the local level.

China has long recognized the importance of cultivating relationships with U.S. officials at the state level, especially as bilateral ties between the two countries have become increasingly strained. During the 2010s, China and the U.S. had fostered extensive regional-level ties, with U.S. governors often visiting China to enhance trade and cultural exchanges. However, this trend has undergone a significant shift in recent years, driven by the U.S. government's confrontational approach towards China, resulting in high tariffs, export restrictions, and even state-level bans on Chinese presence.

This shift has prompted China to emphasize influence-building efforts at the state level, as federal-level relations remain tense. China's Communist Party, through its overseas work branch known as the United Front, works with various organizations, including the well-known All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese, to engage with the overseas Chinese community. These associations and trade groups receive financial support from Beijing, enabling them to collaborate effectively and exert influence on China's behalf.

Sun's ties with Shi Qianping, a representative of the All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese, and the U.S. Federation of Chinese-American Entrepreneurs exemplify the close connections between China's operatives and established groups within major U.S. cities and states.

In addition to concerns over influence operations conducted through these groups, worries have arisen about the establishment of overseas Chinese police stations without the knowledge of the host countries. In fact, last year, New York police arrested two individuals for allegedly setting up a secret police station for a Chinese provincial police agency, further highlighting China's covert activities.

In Sun's case, prosecutors revealed how China seeks to cultivate influence through subtle means, such as molding messages in line with Beijing's interests. Sun solicited talking points from a Chinese official for a video recording featuring Hochul, where she deliberately omitted any mention of Chinese human rights issues. Moreover, Sun allegedly blocked representatives from Taiwan's government from meeting with top New York state officials, as China claims Taiwan as part of its own territory.

China's strategy of rallying overseas Chinese around its goals has also involved exploiting domestic U.S. issues to advance its messaging, such as violence against Asian-Americans. Sun had presented herself as a representative of the Asian-American community, blurring the lines between legitimate cultural and community groups and influence operations conducted by the Chinese government.

The ability of China to set the agenda for engagement at the local level has often resulted from a significant resource disparity. While cities like Shanghai dedicate hundreds of staff members to international engagement, U.S. states may have only a handful, indicating the need for greater strategic thinking, resources, and knowledge on the U.S. side.

Experts suggest that local governments should establish infrastructure at the community level, working directly with legitimate Asian American organizations and fostering relationships with diverse Asian communities rather than relying on individual liaisons.

As the case against Linda Sun unfolds, it raises questions about the extent of China's influence on U.S. politics, particularly at the state level, and highlights the need for heightened scrutiny and countermeasures to safeguard American interests.

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