A Chinese-American scholar was convicted in a Brooklyn court on Tuesday for spying on Chinese government dissidents and sharing information with Beijing for over a decade. Shujun Wang, who founded a pro-democracy group in New York, lived a double life as an illegal agent for the Ministry of State Security in Beijing.
A Chinese-American scholar was convicted in a Brooklyn court on Tuesday after his work on behalf of Beijing as an illegal agent was discovered.
Shujun Wang, an activist who founded a pro-democracy group in New York, used his position to spy on dissidents and share information with the Chinese government for over a decade.
Chinese-American Agent Convicted of Spying for Beijing
Wang lived a double life on behalf of the Ministry of State Security in Beijing, according to prosecutors. By presenting himself as a pro-democracy and anti-Chinese government activist, he could earn the trust of those who truly hold those views and then transmit their information.
The verdict was decided by a federal jury Tuesday, who found Wang guilty of being an illegal agent.
Chinese-American Agent Convicted of Spying for Beijing
"The indictment could have been the plot of a spy novel, but the evidence is shockingly real that the defendant was a secret agent for the Chinese government," U.S. Attorney Breon Peace said in a statement to the Associated Press.
Wang pleaded not guilty, but prosecutors presented evidence that he had been communicating with Chinese officials and transmitting information to them for years.
Chinese-American Agent Convicted of Spying for Beijing
Wang's legal team argued that his transmissions may not have been at the control of Chinese officials, but the jury rejected this argument.
The conviction of Wang is a significant victory for the U.S. government, which has been cracking down on Chinese espionage in recent years.
In a statement, Attorney General Merrick Garland said that the conviction "sends a clear message that we will not tolerate foreign interference in our democracy."
"We will continue to work with our partners to hold accountable those who seek to undermine our national security," Garland said.
The conviction of Wang is a reminder of the ongoing threat of Chinese espionage in the United States.
The U.S. government has identified China as a "near-peer" competitor and has been working to counter its influence on a range of issues, including trade, technology, and security.
The conviction of Wang is a sign that the U.S. government is taking this threat seriously and is committed to protecting its national security.
In addition to the criminal charges, Wang is also facing civil charges from the U.S. government.
The Justice Department has filed a lawsuit against Wang, accusing him of violating the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA).
FARA requires individuals who are acting on behalf of a foreign government to register with the U.S. government.
Wang failed to register with FARA, which is a violation of the law.
The Justice Department is seeking a civil penalty against Wang and an injunction to prevent him from continuing to act as an illegal agent for the Chinese government.
The conviction of Wang is a significant victory for the U.S. government, but it is also a reminder of the ongoing threat of Chinese espionage in the United States.
The U.S. government must continue to work with its partners to counter Chinese influence and protect its national security.
