New York’s Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul stated that she had spoken with the State Department and requested the expulsion of a Chinese diplomat who had been referenced in an indictment against her former top aide. The diplomat, Consul General Huang Ping, was actually rotated out of the position rather than being expelled, according to a State Department spokesperson. This move comes after Hochul’s former deputy chief of staff, Linda Sun, and her husband, Chris Hu, were arrested and charged with violating various laws, including the Foreign Agents Registration Act and money laundering conspiracy.
Ping has been the consul general of China’s New York Consulate since 2018 and has been known to praise the CCP. He was referenced in the indictment numerous times, communicating with Sun, who was using her government position to push the same talking points that were being propagated by Ping and the CCP. The unsealed indictment revealed Sun’s actions in blocking representatives of the Taiwanese government from meeting with high-ranking New York officials and the rewards she and her husband received from Chinese officials in return for her alleged actions on behalf of the Chinese government.
Sun received luxury tickets to concerts and other events, travel benefits, Nanjing-style salted ducks for her parents, and facilitated millions of dollars in transactions for her husband’s business activities. Ping denied various atrocities committed by the Chinese government and questioned the United States’ involvement in China’s internal affairs. Sun would boast about her actions to Chinese officials, including Ping, and took steps to prevent Hochul from attending an event hosted by Taiwan’s economic office, favoring an event hosted by the Chinese embassy instead.
The FBI condemned Sun’s actions, stating that she used her influence to covertly promote Chinese agendas, directly threatening national security. Hochul’s office has distanced itself from Sun, calling her a mid-level employee, but Hochul had praised Sun in a 2021 speech, emphasizing the diversity of her staff. Sun, who had previously served as a chief diversity officer, spoke about the importance of equity in ensuring equal access for all individuals to have their ideas and thoughts heard.
Sun’s attorney expressed disappointment in the charges filed against her and stated that they appear to be the product of an overly aggressive prosecution. Hochul’s ties to Ping have come under scrutiny, as they have met multiple times and attended events together. Ping’s rhetoric, which dismisses atrocities committed by the CCP and denies Taiwan’s independence, reflects Sun’s actions in blocking representatives of the Taiwanese government from meeting with New York officials. The indictment also details luxury gifts received by Sun and her husband from Chinese officials in exchange for her alleged actions on behalf of the Chinese government.
