Five men have been charged with taking part in an alleged plot to spy on dissidents, human rights leaders, and pro-democracy activists in the United States on behalf of Chinese intelligence, according to the Department of Justice (DOJ).
Wang helped to found and later served as secretary-general for the New York-based pro-democracy nonprofit Hu Yaobang and Zhao Ziyang Memorial Foundation, named after two former CCP reformist leaders.
He Feng, Ji Jie, Li Ming, and Lu Keqing were charged for their alleged role in conducting espionage and transnational repression schemes in the United States and abroad on behalf of China’s Ministry of State Security (MSS), the regime’s top intelligence agency.
“These charges demonstrate the Justice Department’s unwavering commitment to hold accountable all those who violate our laws in seeking to suppress dissenting voices within the United States and to prevent our residents from exercising their lawful rights.”
The indictment alleges that He, Ji, Li, and Lu acted as Wang’s handlers in the MSS, and directed him to target specific individuals and groups that the CCP deemed subversive.
These included Hong Kong pro-democracy activists, advocates for Taiwanese independence, and Uyghur and Tibetan activists. The four agents also directed Wang to obtain information on particular topics and matters of importance to the MSS, and to deliver the personal information of dissidents he met through the foundation, the court document stated.
According to the indictment, Wang communicated with and provided information to the MSS for years by using encrypted messaging applications and emails, as well as during face-to-face meetings in mainland China. He would then transfer telephone numbers and contact information belonging to Chinese dissidents to the MSS.
“If anyone doubts how serious the Chinese government is about silencing its critics, this case should eliminate any uncertainty,” said FBI Acting Executive Assistant Director Alan Kohler.
“The Chinese government’s aggressive tactics were once confined to its borders. Now, the PRC is targeting people in the United States and around the world. The FBI and its partners remain committed to combating transnational repression.”
The charges underscore the immediacy of the CCP’s larger effort to silence critics of the regime in the United States and abroad.
The saga of Wang and his alleged work in New York appear to be a vindication of that idea.
“As alleged, Wang acted as a covert intelligence asset in his own community, spying on and reporting sensitive information on prominent pro-democracy activists and organizations to his co-defendants, who are members of the Chinese government’s Ministry of State Security,” said U.S. Attorney Breon Peace.
“Today’s indictment exposes and disrupts an operation by the PRC that threatens the safety and freedom of Chinese nationals residing in the United States on account of their pro-democracy beliefs and speech. Our office and our law enforcement partners will remain vigilant to thwart foreign espionage activities aimed at our citizens and residents.”
Wang was arrested on March 16. He, Ji, Li, and Lu remain at large and are believed to be in mainland China.