Manhattan's Secret Chinese Police Station: A Shocking Guilty Plea

A New York man, Chen Jinping, has pleaded guilty to running an undeclared Chinese police station in lower Manhattan. This shocking revelation comes over a year after the US Justice Department uncovered Beijing's attempts to suppress pro-democracy Chinese-American activists.

The Charges:

Chen, 60, admitted to conspiring to act as an agent of the Chinese government, specifically the Ministry of Public Security (MPS). He faces up to five years in prison. His co-defendant, Lu Jianwang, has pleaded not guilty and awaits trial.

The Station's Activities:

While ostensibly offering services like driver's license renewals, the station also engaged in more sinister activities. Prosecutors revealed its role in helping locate a pro-democracy activist in California. The station, operating on an entire floor of a Chinatown office building, was raided by the FBI in 2022.

Wider Implications:

This case highlights broader concerns about China's efforts to influence US policy and pressure Chinese nationals within the US. US Attorney Breon Peace emphasized the priority of countering such actions that violate national sovereignty.

This incident underscores a pattern of alleged Chinese government interference, as seen in previous cases involving pressure campaigns and attempts to coerce individuals into returning to China.

The guilty plea marks a significant development in the ongoing investigation into China's transnational repression schemes within the United States.