A Chinese national was detained on Thursday for charges related to acting as an unlawful agent for the Chinese government while serving as the campaign manager for a politician elected to a Southern California city council two years prior. Yaoning “Mike” Sun, 64, was arrested amidst increasing concerns regarding Beijing’s alleged cultivation of a network designed to sway local elections in the U.S. This initiative aims to position politicians supportive of Chinese interests, thereby influencing American policies.
A legal complaint filed on Tuesday in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California accuses Sun of collaborating with Chen Jun, a 71-year-old Chinese national who was sentenced last month to 20 months in prison for similar charges. Chen had previously pleaded guilty to utilizing Chinese funds to bribe federal officials with the intent to undermine the anti-Beijing spiritual organization Falun Gong. The charges against Sun indicate a deeper conspiracy to meddle with local electoral processes.
Details surrounding Sun’s legal representation remain unclear at this time. According to court documents, Sun was directed by Chen in 2023 to prepare a report detailing their involvement in the election of a local politician. Their communications depict the city council member as a “new political star,” and included a solicitation for $80,000 intended to finance additional pro-China initiatives in the United States.
Moreover, Chen urged Sun to compile a list of mainstream American politicians familiar with the council member, suggesting that elevating the politician’s status in China would be strategically advantageous. U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada remarked on the troubling nature of the case, stating that it exemplifies an ongoing trend where the People’s Republic of China seeks to shape both domestic and foreign policies in the U.S. by promoting candidates sympathetic to its agenda.
The court papers do not mention the name of the council member involved. However, records reveal that Yaoning Sun acted as the campaign treasurer for Arcadia city council candidate Eileen Wang on a campaign filing dated February 2022. Following the initial filing, another individual took on the treasurer role later that year. Wang successfully won her council seat in the 2022 elections and is known for operating a tutoring services business in Arcadia, located about 15 miles northeast of Los Angeles. She also has a history of participating in various community organizations.
Attempts to contact Wang for comments went unanswered, as did inquiries to Jackie Tran, a city spokesperson. Meanwhile, the charges against Sun follow accusations made against Linda Sun, a former aide to two New York governors, who was also accused of serving as an illegal agent for the Chinese government while leveraging her position to further Beijing’s interests in return for substantial financial compensation.
Estrada noted that Sun seemed to be ideologically committed to promoting the Chinese government’s interests within the U.S. Additionally, the complaint reveals that Sun may have connections to previous military service in China. While no financial benefits for Sun are explicitly mentioned, it appears he is not related to Linda Sun, despite sharing a common name.
The affidavit outlines that Yaoning Sun, who resides in Chino Hills near Los Angeles, was involved in running a media platform known as the U.S. News Center alongside the council member, which included covering some of the politician’s travel expenses. His public LinkedIn profile lists him as the director of the U.S. News Center, with Wang registered as its owner in California.
Prosecutors allege that Sun maintained close communication with Chen, who had ongoing contacts with Chinese officials. Their interactions included discussions on how to protest a proposed visit by a U.S. congressperson to Taiwan, an island claimed by Beijing, and strategies to arrange meetings for the politician with high-ranking Chinese diplomats in Los Angeles, as well as travel plans for a potential visit to China.
