Medical and Hospital News
CYBER WARS
US charges 'Chinese agent' over political influence
US charges 'Chinese agent' over political influence
by AFP Staff Writers
Los Angeles, United States (AFP) Dec 20, 2024

China's ruling Communist Party used an agent in California to influence state politics, US prosecutors said Thursday as they unveiled criminal charges against a Chinese national.

FBI agents arrested Yaoning "Mike" Sun, 64, at his home in Chino Hills, near Los Angeles, on charges that he acted as an agent for a foreign government while getting involved in local politics.

The complaint claims Sun served as the campaign manager and close confidante for an unnamed politician who was running for local elected office in 2022.

During the campaign, he is alleged to have conspired with Chen Jun -- a Chinese national sentenced to prison last month for acting as an illegal agent of Beijing -- regarding his efforts to get the politician elected.

The US Department of Justice said Chen discussed with Chinese government officials how they could influence local politicians, particularly on the issue of Taiwan.

China considers the self-ruled island of Taiwan part of its territory.

Beijing -- which has said it would never rule out using force to bring Taiwan under its control -- has been accused of using local influence campaigns, among other tactics, to sway global opinion on the issue.

Charging documents say after the local politician won office in late 2022, Chen instructed Sun to prepare a report on the election to be sent to Chinese government officials, who expressed their thanks for his work.

"The conduct alleged in this complaint is deeply concerning," said United States Attorney Martin Estrada.

"We cannot permit hostile foreign powers to meddle in the governance of our country."

Sun was charged with one count of acting as an illegal agent of a foreign government, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison.

He also faces one count of conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States, which carries a maximum penalty of five years.

Asked about the charges on Friday, Beijing's foreign ministry said it was "not aware of the details in the case you mentioned".

But spokesman Lin Jian said "China never interferes in the internal affairs of other countries."

"The international community sees clearly who is actually wantonly interfering in the internal affairs of other countries," he said during a regular briefing.

Related Links
Cyberwar - Internet Security News - Systems and Policy Issues

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
CYBER WARS
Espionage, political influence and secret police stations put spotlight on US and German spy cases
Berlin (AFP) Dec 19, 2024
German police said Thursday they had opened an espionage probe into a Chinese national who according to local media allegedly took photographs at a naval area of the Baltic Sea port of Kiel. The northern port is home to German naval installations and shipyards of the defence giant Thyssenkrupp, which builds submarines there. A Chinese man was detained by security guards before he was arrested by police after taking photographs at the Kiel-Wik naval base on December 9, according to local media. ... read more

CYBER WARS
Sri Lanka navy rescues boat of 100 Rohingya refugees

Human civilization at a tipping point between authoritarian collapse and technological superabundance

Macron extends visit to cyclone-hit Mayotte after locals vent anger

International rescuers join search for Vanuatu quake survivors

CYBER WARS
SpaceX launches Space Force Rapid Response Trailblazer

GPS alternative for drone navigation leverages celestial data

Deciphering city navigation AI advances GNSS error detection

China advances next-generation BeiDou satellite navigation system

CYBER WARS
Earliest ritual space in southwest asia discovered in Galilee cave

Traces of 10000-year-old rice beer unearthed at neolithic site in China

Travelers consider weight-based airfares for sustainable flights

US passes defense bill banning gender care for minors; UK to compensate LGBTQ veterans sacked

CYBER WARS
Critically endangered elephant found dead in Bali river

UN experts urge three 'transformations' for nature

'Shocking' report casts light on meat-eating habits of California ground squirrels

Habitat loss stokes rabid jackal attacks in Bangladesh

CYBER WARS
US lawmakers back Covid Chinese lab leak theory after two-year probe

US lawmakers back Covid Chinese lab leak theory after two-year probe

Chinese film about Covid-19 wins Taiwan's top Golden Horse prizes

Common water disinfectant creates potentially toxic byproduct: study

CYBER WARS
On China's doorstep, Macau weaves an identity as integration looms

Xi to arrive in Macau for 25th anniversary of Chinese rule

China executes former regional official for corruption

Chinese casino hub Macau struggles to evolve beyond gaming

CYBER WARS
Blast kills two Mexican soldiers, five wounded

Four killed in Colombia airstrike against drug cartel

Somali pirates demand ransom for Chinese vessel

US lawmakers warn Hong Kong becoming financial crime hub

CYBER WARS
Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.