New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced during a press conference on Wednesday that she had requested the expulsion of Chinese Consul General Huang Ping in New York. This decision came after one of Hochul’s former top-level aides, Linda Sun, was charged with spying for the Chinese Communist Party.
Hochul revealed that she reached out to the White House and U.S. Secretary of State on September 3rd following Sun’s arrest and indictment. She specifically asked for the immediate removal of the Chinese consul general from his position. Prior to a press conference held on September 4th, a high-ranking official from the state department informed Hochul that her request had been fulfilled.
During the press conference, Hochul emphasized that her request was intended to send a strong message. She stated, “I believe that the Chinese government’s behavior in working with Linda Sun is not acceptable… It’s a statement by us, that we’re not tolerating this.”
Linda Sun has been charged with acting on behalf of the CCP, visa fraud, alien smuggling, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Her husband and co-defendant Chris Hu faces charges including conspiracy to commit money laundering and bank fraud.
Sun had previously been dismissed from Hochul’s office in March 2023 due to alleged misconduct. The governor’s office is fully cooperating with ongoing investigations related to this case.
Governor Hochul stressed the importance of increased vigilance among governments at all levels following Sun’s arrest. She highlighted how Sun had held various state government roles between 2012 and 2023 and allegedly used her position to forge invitations allowing illegal entry into the United States for Chinese officials while blocking Taiwanese representatives from meeting government officials.
According to court documents, Linda Sun received millions of dollars in exchange for her work for the CCP but failed to disclose her role as a foreign agent or report any benefits received. Both Sun and Hu pleaded not guilty during their initial court appearance in Brooklyn on September 3rd and have been released on bond.
Please note: This story is still developing and will be updated accordingly.