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Manhattan resident found guilty of running covert Chinese police outpost
A federal jury in New York has convicted a 64-year-old US citizen of operating an illegal overseas police station for China's Ministry of Public Security (MPS) in Manhattan's Chinatown.
Lu Jianwang, also known as Harry Lu, was found guilty on charges of acting as an unregistered agent of the Chinese government and obstructing justice by destroying evidence linked to the operation.
Trial and charges
The verdict followed a week-long trial in New York's federal court. Prosecutors stated that Jianwang faces up to 30 years in prison.
His co-defendant, Chen Jinping, pleaded guilty in December 2024 to conspiring to act as an agent of China in connection with the same station. Chen is awaiting sentencing.
Station's purpose and shutdown
The covert outpost, located on an entire floor above a ramen restaurant, was established in early 2022 and shut down in autumn 2022 after the FBI launched an investigation.
Prosecutors alleged that Jianwang and Chen deleted text messages exchanged with an MPS official once they learned of the probe.
"Lu Jianwang used a police station in New York City to target PRC dissidents in furtherance of the Chinese government's political agenda," said James C. Barnacle Jr., the FBI's assistant director in charge.
FBI statement
Global network of covert stations
Rights groups have reported at least 100 such stations in 53 countries, accusing China of using them to monitor and intimidate Chinese nationals abroad, including pro-democracy activists in the US.
China has denied that these outposts function as police stations, describing them as "service stations" offering administrative support, such as pandemic assistance and driver's licence renewals, to overseas nationals.
Broader context
The conviction coincides with the resignation of a California mayor this week after she was charged with acting as an illegal agent of China.
Federal authorities continue to investigate similar operations across the US, signaling heightened scrutiny of China's overseas influence activities.
