On December 19, Yaoning “Mike” Sun (孙耀宁), a U.S. national with alleged ties to the Chinese government, was arrested on charges of acting as an illegal agent for Beijing. Sun is accused of using his position to further the interests of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) by interfering in local U.S. elections. Specifically, prosecutors allege that he served as the campaign manager for an unnamed politician who successfully won a city council seat in Southern California in 2022. Although court documents do not explicitly identify the individual, evidence strongly suggests that the politician in question is Arcadia City Councilmember Eileen Wang (王爱琳).
Eileen Wang, who was elected to the Arcadia City Council in 2022, has notable connections to pro-CCP individuals and organizations. Records show that Yaoning Sun held the role of campaign treasurer for Wang during her bid for the city council. This close working relationship raises significant questions about the influence of foreign governments in local U.S. elections.
The charges against Sun are part of a broader investigation into efforts by the CCP to cultivate political influence in the United States. By positioning candidates who are favorable to Beijing’s policies, operatives like Sun allegedly aim to advance the CCP's geopolitical and ideological objectives. Wang, who operates a tutoring business in Arcadia and has been active in local community groups, is alleged to have benefited from this network of support.
Sun's arrest highlights growing concerns over Beijing's influence in American politics and its use of united front tactics to infiltrate local institutions. As details of this case continue to emerge, they underscore the need for vigilance against foreign interference in democratic processes.
Yaoning “Mike” Sun has been charged with conspiring with John Chen, also known as Chen Jun (陈军), who was sentenced to 20 months in prison last month for acting as an unregistered agent of the Chinese government. Chen’s case revealed extensive efforts to covertly advance the interests of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in the United States. According to a Justice Department report, Chen pleaded guilty in July to charges including bribing federal agents with funds provided by Chinese sources to undermine Falun Gong, a spiritual group that has long opposed Beijing’s rule.
The charges against Sun shed further light on Chen’s activities, extending into efforts to influence U.S. local elections. Court documents allege that Chen instructed Sun to draft a detailed report in 2023 for Chinese officials, explaining how they had helped a California politician win election to a local city council. In these communications, Chen and Sun referred to the politician as a “new political star.” The report also included a request for $80,000 to finance additional pro-Beijing activities in the U.S. Moreover, Chen asked Sun to compile a list of prominent American politicians the councilmember was familiar with, emphasizing that elevating this individual’s profile in China would be “very effective” for their goals.
While the court filings do not explicitly name the councilmember, records from the Arcadia City Council identify Yaoning Sun as the campaign treasurer for Eileen Wang (王爱琳) during her 2022 election bid. Wang, who owns a tutoring company in Arcadia—approximately 24 kilometers northeast of Los Angeles—won her seat on the council. Her biography on the city’s website highlights her involvement in various community groups, presenting her as an engaged local leader.
Sun’s background and actions suggest a strong ideological alignment with the goals of the Chinese government. He previously served in the military and is listed as the director of the US News Center, a media outlet registered in California, where Wang is listed as the owner. Sun allegedly covered some of Wang’s travel expenses, demonstrating a close working relationship. The US News Center appears to have served as another vehicle for their collaborative activities.
The relationship between Sun and Chen was part of a broader strategy of influence. Their communications included discussing plans to protest a U.S. congressperson’s proposed visit to Taiwan, organizing a meeting between Wang and a senior Chinese diplomat in Los Angeles, and arranging for Wang to visit China. These efforts align with Beijing’s systematic attempts to cultivate U.S. political figures who could promote pro-China policies.
Wang’s connections to pro-Beijing entities go beyond her work with Sun. She has been actively involved in events hosted by the Chinese Consulate General in Los Angeles and received significant backing during her 2022 campaign from prominent pro-CCP figures in California, including Sue Zhang (张素久), Charles Lu (鹿强), Zhang Yong (张勇), Jiang Fengnian (江风年), and Xuan Guojun (宣国军). In 2021, Wang participated in a forum celebrating the 100th anniversary of the CCP’s founding, appearing alongside Los Angeles Consul General Zhang Ping (张平) and other influential pro-CCP figures (icitynews.com).
Wang and Sun have also held leadership roles in organizations with ties to CCP-aligned networks. Wang served as president and Sun as chairman of the executive committee of the American Southwest Chamber of Commerce USA (美国加州华人总商会) (52hrtt.com). In 2019, Wang established the Sichuan branch of the Chamber, an event hosted by Tian Bihua (田碧华), vice chair of the Sichuan Provincial Returned Overseas Chinese Federation (四川省侨联), a key united front group. In November 2019, Wang and Sun visited Sichuan to make donations to ten underprivileged students in Shehong City, an event facilitated by the Sichuan Federation and its united front department (scql.gov.cn).
These activities demonstrate a consistent pattern of collaboration with individuals and organizations connected to Beijing’s united front strategy. Wang’s ties to the CCP’s influence networks are further illustrated by her role as the founding chair, and Sun’s role as the executive chairman, of the US California Music and Art Association (美国加州音乐艺术协会) (icitynews.com).
The arrest of Sun and the revelations about his collaboration with Chen come amid growing concerns about Beijing’s efforts to covertly influence U.S. local elections. By strategically supporting politicians like Wang, the Chinese government aims to install figures who can promote pro-China policies and strengthen Beijing’s influence in American politics. The detailed communications, financial arrangements, and network connections revealed in this case underscore the depth and complexity of these covert operations.
Eileen Wang (王爱琳) and Yaoning "Mike" Sun (孙耀宁) have played significant roles in organizations with connections to China’s united front networks, illustrating their deep ties to pro-Beijing activities. Wang served as the founding chair, and Sun was the executive chairman, of the US California Music and Art Association (美国加州音乐艺术协会). This organization has been involved in various cultural events that align with the broader strategies of Beijing’s influence campaigns (icitynews.com).
In April 2019, during her tenure as President of the American Southwest Chamber of Commerce USA (美国加州华人总商会), Wang spearheaded the establishment of the Chamber’s Sichuan branch. The opening ceremony for the branch was hosted by Tian Bihua (田碧华), the Vice Chair of the Sichuan Provincial Returned Overseas Chinese Federation (四川省侨联), a key united front organization that works to foster connections between overseas Chinese communities and Beijing’s political agenda. This event underscores Wang’s active involvement with groups linked to the CCP’s united front strategies (sina.cn).
Later that year, in November 2019, Wang and Sun traveled to Sichuan province to make donations to ten underprivileged students at a local primary school in Shehong City (射洪市). The trip was organized in collaboration with the Sichuan Provincial Returned Overseas Chinese Federation. The donations were part of a broader effort to strengthen ties between overseas Chinese organizations and local communities in China, a hallmark of united front initiatives. Notably, the united front department of Shehong’s Party Committee was specifically mentioned in media reports as being actively involved in the event (scql.gov.cn).
These activities highlight Wang and Sun’s alignment with Beijing’s strategic goals of using overseas Chinese organizations to foster influence and support for the CCP’s agenda. Their close ties to united front entities, coupled with their leadership roles in U.S.-based organizations, raise critical questions about the extent of Beijing’s influence in the cultural and civic spheres abroad.
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original post by Byron Wan