Chen Jinping, a 60-year-old Manhattan resident, has recently pleaded guilty in a Brooklyn federal court to conspiring with the Chinese government to establish a secret police station in New York City. This shocking revelation came to light as part of a series of Justice Department prosecutions targeting “transnational repression,” where foreign governments like China seek to identify, intimidate, and silence dissidents within the U.S.
The Secret Police Station Unveiled
According to Matthew Olsen, an assistant attorney general in the U.S. Department of Justice, Chen Jinping boldly set up an undisclosed police station in Manhattan in an attempt to further the oppressive goals of the People’s Republic of China. This illegal operation, camouflaged as a local branch of China’s Ministry of Public Security in Manhattan’s Chinatown, not only provided basic services to Chinese citizens but also engaged in identifying pro-democracy activists residing in the U.S.
The FBI’s Discovery and Subsequent Closure
The clandestine police station was finally uncovered by the FBI in the fall of 2022, leading to its immediate closure. However, in a desperate bid to thwart the federal investigation, Chen and his co-defendant, Lu Jianwang, deleted crucial communications with a Chinese government official they were reporting to. This brazen attempt to conceal their illicit activities only further incriminated them in the eyes of the law.
The Global Impact
This shocking revelation sheds light on the broader issue of China’s alleged establishment of covert police outposts in various international locations, including North America and Europe. Despite denials from the Chinese government, insisting these stations are merely citizen service centers, the truth behind their operations remains shrouded in secrecy and suspicion.
Chen Jinping’s upcoming sentencing on May 30 could potentially see him facing up to five years in prison for his involvement in this audacious scheme. Meanwhile, Lu Jianwang, known as Harry Lu, is set to appear in court in February, with prosecutors highlighting his longstanding ties to Chinese law enforcement officials and his history of assisting in tracking down dissidents on foreign soil.
This alarming case serves as a stark reminder of the lengths to which foreign governments will go to exert control and suppress dissent, even within the borders of the United States. As the legal proceedings unfold, the true extent of China’s covert activities on American soil may finally be brought to light, hopefully leading to greater transparency and accountability in the future.
