Secret police and propaganda: The Chinese agents spying on expats in US

May 16, 2026

Two recent convictions in the US have exposed China's efforts to extend its influence and surveillance capabilities on American soil. Lu Jianwang, a 64-year-old Chinese community leader, was found guilty of operating an unauthorized Chinese police station in Manhattan's Chinatown under the guise of providing community services, while Arcadia Mayor Eileen Wang pleaded guilty to publishing pro-China propaganda at Beijing's direction. These cases represent part of China's broader global strategy to monitor dissidents, suppress criticism, and shape narratives about the country through both covert operations and cultivated relationships with influential figures.

Who is affected

Lu Jianwang (64-year-old president of American Changle Association, facing up to 30 years in prison)
Chen Jinping (Lu's co-defendant who pleaded guilty)
Eileen Wang (Arcadia Mayor who pleaded guilty)
Xu Jie (Chinese critic whose location in the US was being verified by Lu)
Chinese dissidents and critics living abroad
Chinese American community members
Families of dissidents still living in China who face intimidation
Uyghur population in Xinjiang province
US government and business community members being cultivated by Beijing

What action is being taken

The FBI raided Lu's office space
US prosecutors are pursuing espionage cases against Chinese agents
China is operating at least 100 police stations across 53 countries
The Chinese government is using harassment and bullying strategies to silence dissidents, including tracking cell phones and recruiting dissidents to spy on their friends
China is cultivating relationships with "talents" across the US government and business community
The Center for Strategic and International Studies is tracking cases of Chinese espionage in the US since 2000

Why it matters

These cases demonstrate China's increasingly bold global campaign to suppress dissent, monitor critics abroad, and shape international narratives about the country. The operations threaten democratic values like free speech and pose national security concerns, as China uses both soft power (funding and projects) and covert means (illegal police stations, propaganda, surveillance) to extend its reach. The revelations expose vulnerabilities in how foreign governments can infiltrate local communities and influence public officials, while also highlighting the danger faced by dissidents and their families. China's view of espionage as a "volume enterprise" suggests these are not isolated incidents but part of a systematic, well-resourced strategy that challenges US law enforcement capabilities.

What's next

Lu Jianwang faces sentencing with up to 30 years in prison
US prosecutors are likely to continue focusing on the most egregious espionage cases
Experts predict China's influence operations will continue despite these convictions, with no expected downtick in activity

Read full article from source: BBC