A Chinese man named Mike Sun, also identified as Yaoning Sun, was arrested by U.S. officials for acting as an illegal foreign agent in an effort to influence local politics in California. Sun, along with another man named John Chen, who was previously sentenced to prison for similar activities, worked together to get a politician elected to a City Council position in the Los Angeles area. Chen asked Sun to prepare a report on the candidate, requesting $80,000 from China to support pro-Beijing activities in the United States.
Sun is scheduled to appear in court, and it is unclear if he has legal representation. This arrest is part of ongoing efforts by federal prosecutors to prevent Chinese influence in local American politics, as China has turned to cities and states in order to promote Beijing’s interests. The Chinese government hopes to gain support from local officials who may eventually move into higher political positions, thereby expanding Chinese influence in the U.S.
This arrest highlights an expanding scope of Chinese efforts to influence American elections, following a previous investigation involving another man with ties to the Chinese consulate in New York. These efforts often involve financial incentives and access to China’s domestic market. Prosecutors believe that China’s involvement in local elections is a long-term investment that can lead to broader political influence in the U.S.
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