Former Arcadia Mayor Admits to Acting as Covert Agent for China

Eileen Wang, who recently resigned as mayor of Arcadia, California, has confessed to being a secret agent for the Chinese government. She acted without informing the U.S. government, as legally required, by disseminating content favorable to Beijing.

Her actions took place from late 2020 until her election in 2022, as per her plea agreement. At a federal court in Los Angeles, Wang agreed to her guilty plea and acknowledged the legal ramifications, assisted by a Mandarin interpreter. She remains free on a $25,000 bond, pending her October sentencing, and faces a maximum 10-year prison term.

Wang and her former fiancé, Yaoning 'Mike' Sun, both engaged in activities supporting the People's Republic of China, mainly via sharing its narratives on a platform called US News Center. Sun previously received a four-year sentence after a similar guilty plea.

The U.S. and other nations have accused China of committing crimes against humanity against Uyghurs, allegations China denies. The Arcadia City Council, bound by its charter, couldn't act against Wang during the investigation and will continue to navigate the aftermath of her actions.

(With inputs from agencies.)