The arrest of Yaoning” Mike” Sun, a 64-year-old Foreign nationwide, has intensified concerns about Beijing’s alleged meddling in US politics. Sun was detained on Thursday on suspicion of conspiring to sway a regional election in Southern California to improve China’s international plan objectives and acting as an illegal representative for the Chinese authorities.
Authorities allege that Sun allegedly worked with Chinese officials to back a politician who supported Beijing’s mission. The incarceration comes as China’s alleged efforts to influence local US votes by backing candidates who support Beijing’s passions are growing. According to the prosecution, Sun and Chen Jun, a fellow Chinese nationwide, conspired to coerce them into serving a 20-month prison term last month for acting as a Chinese government agent.
Chen, 71, earlier admitted to paying bribes to the anti-Beijing organization Falun Gong. Court records reveal that Chen and Sun even allegedly manipulated regional elections.
The situation is a part of a wider pattern of attention of Beijing’s efforts to influence US management through local stations, including secret operations and impact campaigns targeting local and state politicians.
Sun’s arrest comes after Chen Jun, a different Chinese nationwide, was found guilty of acting as an illegal representative of the Chinese state and received a 20-month prison sentence. Regulators have highlighted the men’s participation in influencing elected officials and advancing pro-Beijing agendas, especially on sensitive issues like Taiwan.
Who is Yaoning” Mike” Sun?
- Yaoning Sun, a Taiwanese national, is accused of acting as an unregulated international agent in Chino Hills, California.
- Sun is alleged to be the director of a media channel known as the US News Center, which is owned by the unknown councilperson in California, according to public information and court records.
- The channel appears to have been used as a means to back up pro-China stories and to raise the social status of elected representatives in both the United States and China.
- Sun was the campaign manager for a sanitized Southeastern Californian mayor who won the 2022 election.
- Sun allegedly collaborated on political method and had close ties to the politician, paying some of their travel costs. His position extended beyond plan management, supposedly working to raise the councilperson’s status with Taiwanese officials and promote their interactions with Beijing’s diplomats.
- Sun and Chen Jun are accused of conspiring to obstruct US votes. Sun is accused of supplying Chinese officials with a record detailing his position in the councilperson’s vote, describing them as a “new social sun,” and asking for additional cash for pro-Beijing actions in the US.
- He allegedly organized meetings between the councilperson and senior Chinese diplomats in Los Angeles.
- Sun appeared to be ideologically committed to advancing the Chinese government’s objectives in America, according to US Attorney Martin Estrada. Sun’s prior service in the Chinese military demonstrates his steadfast ties to China.
- Sun is accused of conspiring to violate the United States and acting as an illegal agent of a foreign government. If convicted, he could face up to 15 years in federal prison.
