In a shocking case that has stirred concerns about foreign influence in the United States, a New York resident has admitted to being part of a secret operation run by the Chinese government. The man, who worked in the heart of Manhattan, helped set up and run an undeclared police station on behalf of China’s Ministry of Public Security (MPS). The secret station, situated in an office building in Chinatown, was operated by the Chinese government to monitor and intimidate individuals residing in the U.S.
This incident highlights the growing issue of foreign governments trying to extend their power beyond their borders, something that is illegal and unacceptable in the United States. The police station was not known to the U.S. government, which makes it an illegal act on American soil.
What Happened at the Secret Police Station?
Chen Jinping, a 60-year-old man from New York, pleaded guilty to conspiring to act as an illegal agent for the Chinese government. He worked with another person to open the overseas police station in Lower Manhattan. The station, which began operating in 2022, was not officially registered, and no one told U.S. authorities about its existence.
The Chinese government’s MPS, which is responsible for maintaining public order and safety in China, had secretly set up this station in the U.S. to monitor and control Chinese nationals living here. The MPS uses such stations around the world to intimidate and spy on people who might be critical of the Chinese government. The police station in Manhattan operated from an office floor, but no one knew it was there, making it a hidden and illegal operation.
The FBI’s Investigation
In October 2022, the FBI launched an investigation upon learning about the illegal police station. Agents carried out a search of the building where the station was located. During the investigation, FBI agents discovered that the two men involved, including Chen Jinping, had deleted important evidence from their phones. The deleted evidence was communication between the men and an official from China’s MPS, which would have helped the FBI understand how the station operated.
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Both men admitted to deleting these communications after they realized the FBI was investigating them. This action prevented the agents from fully understanding the extent of the Chinese government’s plans to control the station. The FBI has now made it clear that they will continue investigating such cases and that no one, not even foreign governments, can violate the rights and freedoms of people in the U.S.
Chen has agreed to plead guilty to conspiring with the Chinese government to run the station, and the U.S. government will drop the charge of obstruction of justice against him. Chen faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison, while the second individual, Lu, has pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial. The case has drawn attention to the danger of foreign governments overstepping their bounds and attempting to extend their power to other countries.
The FBI has set up a website to help people who may have been targeted by foreign governments for harassment or intimidation. This is part of the government’s effort to protect people in the U.S. from such foreign actions.
The FBI has promised to continue investigating and prosecuting those who try to help foreign governments operate illegally in the United States. The case serves as a reminder that foreign powers cannot control or intimidate people living in the U.S., and such actions will be met with serious legal consequences.
