US Government Requests Expulsion of Chinese ⁢Consul‍ General Amid Allegations of Chinese Infiltration

The US government has⁣ requested the expulsion of Chinese Consul General⁤ Huang Ping from New York, following allegations ​of Chinese infiltration of political influence. The⁢ move comes after the indictment ‍of Linda ​Sun, a former deputy chief of staff to the New York governor, and‍ her husband Chris Hu, on charges ​of “engaging⁣ in numerous political activities for the benefit of the Chinese government and Communist Party.”

Sun, a Chinese‍ woman ‍who held various positions in New York State during her ⁢tenure ⁤as former and⁤ current New York Governor, is accused of acting as a⁤ “Chinese Communist Party agent.” Her husband, Chris Hu, is ‌also‍ accused ⁤of engaging in political activities ⁣on behalf of the Chinese government.

New York Governor⁤ Cathy Hockel requested⁣ the⁤ US State Department ⁣to immediately ⁣expel Chinese ⁣Consul General Huang Ping from New York,‍ citing ‍the ⁤unacceptable ‍nature of the Chinese government’s actions. “I think it’s⁢ unacceptable that⁣ the Chinese government is doing this with Sun. We can’t tolerate it, and ⁢our position is that anyone ‌representing that government should step down,” Governor Hockel​ explained.

However, the ​State Department has clarified that the Chinese consul general was not⁣ expelled, ​but rather replaced due ⁢to the end⁤ of his regular‍ rotation term. ​”We understand⁤ that⁢ the⁣ Chinese authorities replaced the consul general because the regular rotation term of the Chinese consul general ended last⁣ month,” ⁢said State Department⁣ spokesman Matthew Miller.

The US takes seriously any foreign‌ interference, ⁢including attempts ⁢to conduct covert ​activities without registering under the Foreign⁤ Agents Registration Act. The Justice Department’s actions demonstrate the US⁢ commitment to addressing‍ these issues.

Huang Ping, a ‌senior diplomat at⁤ the ‍ambassadorial level, has worked⁤ in the US Embassy, ‌the Canadian Embassy, and ⁢the Consulate Generals in North America. He served ‍as the‍ Consul General in Chicago and the Ambassador to Zimbabwe before taking‌ office as the Consul General in New York in 2018.

Linda ⁢Sun is accused of forging Governor ‍Hockel’s signature on invitations allowing Chinese ⁤officials to illegally enter the United ‍States and meet with American officials.⁢ She is also accused of using her position to obstruct Taiwanese representatives from contacting American officials and removing references ⁣to Taiwan as a country from official statements during the tenure of former New ​York ​Governor ⁢Andrew ⁣Cuomo.