Written by Nico Fodor
Edited by Rebecca Oxtot and Annika Lilja
Linda Sun, a former senior aide to New York Governors Kathy Hochul and Andrew Cuomo, has been charged with acting as an illegal agent for the Chinese government. Her case has received significant attention, particularly for its implications regarding foreign interference in U.S. state-level politics.
The allegations against Sun center on her alleged use of her government positions to subtly advance Beijing’s interests. According to prosecutors, Sun blocked Taiwanese officials from accessing key New York state officials and shaped New York’s messaging on sensitive issues, including the treatment of Uyghur Muslims and Taiwan’s sovereignty. Her actions were allegedly coordinated with the Chinese Consulate in New York and supported by her husband, Chris Hu, who received financial benefits for his business ventures in China.
Sun’s involvement with the Chinese government is said to have spanned several years. Federal prosecutors detail that, in exchange for her cooperation, she and her husband enriched themselves through various kickbacks, including millions of dollars, luxury properties in Long Island and Hawaii, and even Nanjing-style salted ducks delivered to her parents’ home. The indictment also claims that Sun actively concealed her relationship with the Chinese government, even lying to the FBI when questioned about her trips to China.
In an indictment unsealed earlier this month, Sun was charged with violating the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), which requires individuals acting on behalf of foreign governments to disclose their affiliations. She was also charged with money laundering, visa fraud, and alien smuggling. Both Sun and her husband have pleaded not guilty.
The broader implications of this case reflect ongoing concerns about Chinese efforts to infiltrate U.S. state and local governments. As relations between the U.S. and China have become increasingly tense, especially regarding issues like Taiwan and Uyghur persecution, China has shifted its focus to influence local political activity, such as through individuals like Ping Li, a Pasco County resident accused of providing information on American political dissidents and organizations to Chinese intelligence services. This shift has created vulnerabilities that, as experts note, have been exploited for years.
Anne-Marie Brady, a political scientist specializing in Chinese influence efforts, described Sun’s case as “classic tactics,” with China using overseas Chinese communities to gain influence and shape policy (New York Times). Similarly, former CIA officer Dennis Wilder noted that the Ministry of State Security typically targets naturalized U.S. citizens with strong ties to China, making them prime candidates for recruitment.
Sun’s defense team has criticized the charges as “inflammatory” and the product of “an overly aggressive prosecution” (Fox News). They contend that Sun will vigorously defend against the accusations in court. Nonetheless, the case underscores a broader concern over how foreign influence can penetrate U.S. politics and the challenges of addressing such interference without stoking racial profiling or mistrust of diaspora communities.
Sources:
Cabral, Sam. "A Ferrari, a Honolulu hideaway, salted duck - top NY official allegedly spied for China." BBC, 4 Sept. 2024, www.bbc.com/news/articles/cgl23xlrzp2o.
Golden, Vaughn, and Steven Nelson. "Ex-Hochul, Cuomo aide accused of being Chinese spy went on White House tour— while under fed investigation." New York Post, 13 Sept. 2024, nypost.com/2024/09/13/us-news/ex-hochul-cuomo-aide-accused-of-being-chinese-spy-went-on-white-house-tour-while-under-fed-investigation/.
Irwin, Lauren. "Cuomo responds to former aide Linda Sun arrest: 'I don't think this was just in New York.'" The Hill, 10 Sept. 2024, thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/4872440-cuomo-former-aide-linda-sun-arrest/.
Izaguirre, Anthony. "Former aide to 2 New York governors is charged with being an agent of the Chinese government." AP News, 3 Sept. 2024, apnews.com/article/former-hochul-aide-arrested-new-york-c588a95e87b853ca3d23b36aae4c87cd.
Katersky, Aaron. "Former aide to governors Hochul, Cuomo arrested at Long Island home after FBI search." ABC7 New York, 4 Sept. 2024, abc7ny.com/post/former-aide-gov-kathy-hochul-husband-arrested-manhasset-home-after-fbi-search-long-island/15263135/.
Katersky, Aaron. "Linda Sun, former Kathy Hochul aide, accused of scheming to advance interests of China." ABC News, 3 Sept. 2024, abcnews.go.com/Politics/linda-sun-former-kathy-hochul-aide-arrested-months/story?id=113347742.
Norman, Greg. "Former aide to New York Gov. Hochul, who is accused of being Chinese spy, went on a tour of the White House." Fox News, 14 Sept. 2024, www.foxnews.com/politics/former-aide-new-york-gov-hochul-who-accused-being-chinese-spy-went-tour-white-house.
Pazmino, Gloria. "An alleged Chinese agent went undetected in New York state government for years. Why it may have taken so long for authorities to act." CNN, 12 Sept. 2024, www.cnn.com/2024/09/08/us/linda-sun-new-york-china-investigation/index.html.
Pierson, David. "In New York Case, Signs of a Familiar China Playbook." New York Times, 16 Sept. 2024, www.nytimes.com/2024/09/16/world/asia/china-linda-sun-interference.html.
"Republicans grill Cuomo on Linda Sun at congressional COVID hearing." City and State New York, 11 Sept. 2024, www.cityandstateny.com/politics/2024/09/republicans-grill-cuomo-linda-sun-congressional-covid-hearing/399469/.
Schapiro, Rich, et al. "Chinese agent case in New York is a 'classic' Beijing spy effort, experts say." NBC News, 4 Sept. 2024, www.nbcnews.com/investigations/chinese-agent-case-new-york-classic-beijing-spy-effort-experts-say-rcna169506.
Vacchiano, Andrea. "Hochul aide accused of working for CCP used position to promote 'equity' policies in resurfaced video." Fox News, 4 Sept. 2024, www.foxnews.com/us/hochul-aide-accused-working-ccp-used-position-promote-equity-policies-resurfaced-video.
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