In an astonishing turn of events, two New Yorkers were detained for posing as the Ministry of Public Security of China. These are only a small portion of the CCP’s overseas intelligence network, which also includes undercover service stations in New York City and Los Angeles, according to a disturbing new investigation by Safeguard Defenders.
According to alleged evidence, covert monitoring stations have allegedly been set up around the US, notably in San Francisco, Houston, Nebraska, and Minnesota. These websites allegedly serve as a global surveillance system for Chinese nationals.
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If Chinese espionage operations on US soil are confirmed, it may be bad news for the already precarious relationship between China and the US. In addition to increasing official scrutiny of Chinese operations in America, it would result in diplomatic issues.
“We found at least four listed in the US by PRC [People’s Republic of China] public security authorities, plus flagged an additional four overseas Chinese service centers in the US set up by the UFWD networks responsible for manning the stations,” according to a Safeguard Defenders spokesman, The New York Post on Tuesday.
The United Front Work Department (UFWD), a branch of the Chinese government, is responsible for the intricate and alarming network of police stations that operate abroad under the guise of nonprofit organizations or neighborhood associations. For instance, the America ChangLe Association NY Inc., which owned the building where it operated, unveiled a Chinatown-based station, according to stories from Safeguard Defenders and the Washington Post from back in October.
According to The New York Post:
According to documents, the foundation paid $1.3 million in 2016 for the office complex that housed the Fuzhou Police Overseas Chinese Affairs division at the East Broadway location. The nonprofit defined its humanitarian aim as providing a “social gathering place for Fujianese people.”
As the guest of honor at the organization’s annual gala dinner last year, New York City Mayor Eric Adams was not mentioned on the mayor’s official agenda.
Federal authorities detained Chen Jinping, 59, of Manhattan, and “Harry” Lu Jianwang, 61, of the Bronx on Monday for allegedly founding the East Broadway station, also known as the Fuzhou branch of the Chinese Ministry of Public Security.
“The PRC, through its repressive security apparatus, established a secret physical presence in New York City to monitor and intimidate dissidents and those critical of its government,” stated Matthew G. Olsen, an assistant attorney general in the National Security Division of the Justice Department.
“The PRC’s actions go far beyond the bounds of acceptable nation-state conduct. We will resolutely defend the freedoms of all those living in our country from the threat of authoritarian repression.”
“It is simply outrageous that China’s Ministry of Public Security thinks it can get away with establishing a secret, illegal police station on U.S. soil to aid its efforts to export repression and subvert our rule of law,” Kurt Ronnow, acting assistant director, FBI Counterintelligence Division, spoke on Monday.
“This case serves as a powerful reminder that the People’s Republic of China will stop at nothing to bend people to their will and silence messages they don’t want anyone to hear. The FBI is dedicated to protecting everyone in the United States against efforts to undermine our democratic freedoms, and we’ll hold any state actors – and those who help them – accountable for breaking our laws.”
