U.S. Cracks Down on Transnational Repression, Convicts Chinese-American Man of Acting as Unregistered Chinese Agent
A Chinese-American man in New York was convicted today of acting as an unregistered agent of the Chinese government. During the trial, federal prosecutors accused him of operating a "secret police station" in Manhattan's Chinatown on behalf of Beijing.
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- 📰 Published: May 14, 2026 at 12:37
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(CNA, New York, 13th, Comprehensive Foreign Report) A Chinese-American man in New York was convicted today of acting as an unregistered agent of the Chinese government. During the trial, U.S. federal prosecutors accused him of operating a "secret police station" in Manhattan's Chinatown on behalf of Beijing.
Reuters reported that federal prosecutors in Brooklyn said that 64-year-old Lu Jianwang should have declared his status as a Chinese agent to the U.S. Attorney General when he helped set up the police station in 2022. Additionally, he was accused of assisting the Chinese government in locating a pro-democracy activist living in California.
Lu was arrested in April 2023 and pleaded not guilty to three felony charges, including conspiracy to act as an unregistered foreign agent, acting as an unregistered agent of China, and obstruction of justice.
The jury in Brooklyn federal court reached the verdict after a week-long trial. Lu could face a maximum of 30 years in prison.
FBI Assistant Director in Charge James Barnacle noted at the sentencing: "I hope today’s verdict serves as a warning to other foreign agents that the FBI will be relentless in its efforts to identify and combat the hostile nation’s secret operations."
In recent years, the U.S. Department of Justice has stepped up its investigation into so-called "transnational repression," accusing countries like China and Iran of intimidating political opponents within the United States.
The Chinese government has called the allegations in the case "fabricated" and part of a campaign to smear China's image. Beijing stated that there are indeed service stations overseas operated by local volunteers, not Chinese police agencies, mainly to assist Chinese citizens with matters such as renewing documents.
Prosecutor Lindsey Oken stated in her opening statement on May 6 that Lu, a naturalized U.S. citizen, had contacts with Chinese law enforcement and was instructed by officials during a trip to China in 2022 to set up the station.
She said the station was located in a nondescript office building in Chinatown and initially provided services such as helping New York's Chinese citizens renew their driver's licenses. This in itself is illegal if not reported to the U.S. government.
Oken also said that Lu agreed to help the Chinese government find a pro-democracy activist in the United States.
Lu's lawyer, John Carman, stated that his client set up the center to help Chinese citizens who could not return to China to renew their documents due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and was not instructed by the Chinese government.
A co-defendant arrested with Lu, Chen Jinping, pleaded guilty in 2024 to conspiracy to act as an unregistered agent of China.
The arrests stemmed from an investigation report released in 2022 by the Spanish advocacy group Safeguard Defenders.
The report stated that China has set up "service stations" overseas, including in New York, which are suspected of cooperating with Chinese police to pressure fugitives to return to China. (Compiled by: Hsu Jui-cheng) 1150514
Reuters reported that federal prosecutors in Brooklyn said that 64-year-old Lu Jianwang should have declared his status as a Chinese agent to the U.S. Attorney General when he helped set up the police station in 2022. Additionally, he was accused of assisting the Chinese government in locating a pro-democracy activist living in California.
Lu was arrested in April 2023 and pleaded not guilty to three felony charges, including conspiracy to act as an unregistered foreign agent, acting as an unregistered agent of China, and obstruction of justice.
The jury in Brooklyn federal court reached the verdict after a week-long trial. Lu could face a maximum of 30 years in prison.
FBI Assistant Director in Charge James Barnacle noted at the sentencing: "I hope today’s verdict serves as a warning to other foreign agents that the FBI will be relentless in its efforts to identify and combat the hostile nation’s secret operations."
In recent years, the U.S. Department of Justice has stepped up its investigation into so-called "transnational repression," accusing countries like China and Iran of intimidating political opponents within the United States.
The Chinese government has called the allegations in the case "fabricated" and part of a campaign to smear China's image. Beijing stated that there are indeed service stations overseas operated by local volunteers, not Chinese police agencies, mainly to assist Chinese citizens with matters such as renewing documents.
Prosecutor Lindsey Oken stated in her opening statement on May 6 that Lu, a naturalized U.S. citizen, had contacts with Chinese law enforcement and was instructed by officials during a trip to China in 2022 to set up the station.
She said the station was located in a nondescript office building in Chinatown and initially provided services such as helping New York's Chinese citizens renew their driver's licenses. This in itself is illegal if not reported to the U.S. government.
Oken also said that Lu agreed to help the Chinese government find a pro-democracy activist in the United States.
Lu's lawyer, John Carman, stated that his client set up the center to help Chinese citizens who could not return to China to renew their documents due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and was not instructed by the Chinese government.
A co-defendant arrested with Lu, Chen Jinping, pleaded guilty in 2024 to conspiracy to act as an unregistered agent of China.
The arrests stemmed from an investigation report released in 2022 by the Spanish advocacy group Safeguard Defenders.
The report stated that China has set up "service stations" overseas, including in New York, which are suspected of cooperating with Chinese police to pressure fugitives to return to China. (Compiled by: Hsu Jui-cheng) 1150514