Man Pleads Guilty for Operating Illegal Chinese Police Station in NYC

Wooden blocks spell out GUILTY on wood background.

A Manhattan resident pleads guilty to running a secret Chinese police station, exposing a web of foreign interference on American soil.

At a Glance

Chen Jinping, 60, admitted to operating an undeclared Chinese police station in New York City.
The station was part of a campaign to monitor and harass U.S.-based dissidents.
Chen faces up to five years in prison for conspiring to act as an illegal agent of China.
Similar covert operations have been uncovered across North America and Europe.

Clandestine Chinese Police Station Uncovered in New York

In a startling development that has raised serious national security concerns, 60-year-old Chen Jinping has pleaded guilty to operating a secret Chinese police station in New York City. The case has brought to light the extent of foreign interference on American soil and the challenges faced by law enforcement in protecting national sovereignty.

A New York man has admitted to acting as an illegal Chinese agent by operating a secret police station for Beijing in Manhattan.

Chen Jinping, a 60-year-old U.S. citizen, pleaded guilty on Dec. 18 in front of U.S. District Judge Nina Morrison, a development that prosecutors… pic.twitter.com/pFjwOP2PPJ

— The Epoch Times (@EpochTimes) December 19, 2024

The clandestine operation, set up in Manhattan’s Chinatown, was allegedly established to offer routine services such as driver’s license renewals for Chinese nationals. However, its primary purpose was far more sinister: to track and harass fugitive Chinese dissidents. This revelation has sent shockwaves through diplomatic circles and raised questions about the reach of foreign governments within the United States.

Legal Consequences and National Security Implications

Chen now faces up to five years in prison for conspiring to act as an illegal agent of the Chinese government. His guilty plea is part of a larger U.S. initiative to curb foreign interference and protect American interests. The case has drawn attention to the Department of Justice’s efforts to combat “transnational repression” by foreign governments seeking to silence dissidents in the U.S.

“Today’s guilty plea holds (Chen) accountable for his brazen efforts to operate an undeclared overseas police station on behalf of (China’s) national police force — a clear affront to American sovereignty,” said Assistant Attorney General Matthew Olsen.

The case against Chen and his co-defendant, “Harry” Lu Jianwang, who has pleaded not guilty and awaits trial, has exposed the sophisticated nature of these foreign operations. Both men were arrested for operating the secret police station for China’s Ministry of Public Security, highlighting the need for increased vigilance against such covert activities.

Global Implications and Ongoing Investigations

The discovery of this secret police station in New York is not an isolated incident. Similar operations have been uncovered and shut down in Canada and several European countries, indicating a widespread network of Chinese influence. These revelations have prompted increased scrutiny of China’s foreign operations and raised concerns about the potential for similar covert activities in other nations with significant Chinese communities.

“This illegal police station was not opened in the interest of public safety, but to further the nefarious and repressive aims of the PRC in direct violation of American sovereignty,” Matthew Olsen stated, underscoring the gravity of the situation.

The existence of these outposts was first brought to light by the human rights group Safeguard Defenders, leading to increased awareness and subsequent investigations by law enforcement agencies worldwide. The uncovering of these operations has shed light on the complex challenges faced by countries in balancing national security imperatives with the presence of foreign influences within their borders.

A Call for Vigilance

As the case against Chen Jinping concludes and the trial of Lu Jianwang approaches, U.S. officials are emphasizing the need for continued vigilance against foreign interference. The FBI and other law enforcement agencies are redoubling their efforts to identify and neutralize similar operations that may be operating on American soil.

As this case unfolds, it serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by nations in protecting their sovereignty and the rights of their citizens in an increasingly interconnected world. The discovery and dismantling of the New York Chinese police station mark a significant victory in the fight against foreign interference, but also highlight the need for continued vigilance and international cooperation to address similar threats in the future.