US Jury Convicts Man for Running Secret Chinese Police Station in New York

A United States jury convicted Harry Lu Jianwang on May 13, 2026, for his role in operating a clandestine Chinese police station in New York City. The facility was used as part of a broader campaign to monitor and target dissidents living within the United States.

Lu, 64, now faces a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison. According to a statement from the Justice Department, Lu acted as an illegal agent of the Chinese government to establish and manage the overseas police station, which was located in an office building in Manhattan’s Chinatown.

The operation was conducted on behalf of China’s Ministry of Public Security (MPS). Lu and a co-defendant, Chen Jinping, were arrested in April 2023 in connection with the secret outpost.

FBI Investigation and Evidence

The investigation into the facility began in October 2022, when FBI agents conducted a search of the outpost. During the search, agents discovered a blue banner that identified the site as the Fuzhou Police Overseas Service Station, New York, USA, referencing a city in southeastern China.

Federal officials stated that the facility was used to advance the political goals of the Chinese government by targeting individuals critical of the state.

Lu Jianwang used a police station in New York City to target PRC (People’s Republic of China) dissidents in furtherance of the Chinese government’s political agenda.James C. Barnacle Jr., FBI Assistant Director in Charge

The Justice Department further detailed that Lu was directed by a handler from the Ministry of Public Security to collect information for the Chinese government. This included tasks such as locating a pro-democracy advocate who had moved to the United States after fleeing China.

Global Network of Secret Stations

The New York facility was not an isolated incident but part of a wider international effort. The Justice Department noted that the station was part of a global initiative by the MPS (Ministry of Public Security) to establish overseas police service stations all over the world.

The existence of these clandestine stations was first brought to light by Safeguard Defenders, a rights group based in Spain. According to the organization, these stations have been used to pressure Chinese nationals to return to China to face criminal charges.

While these outposts often operate with little to no public indication of their purpose, U.S. Officials reported that the Manhattan office had been visited by officials from the Chinese consulate in New York.

The discovery of these facilities has led to similar crackdowns by several European governments as well as the Canadian government.

Response from Beijing

The Chinese government has denied the existence of these facilities. In December 2025, Beijing stated that there was no so-called police station operating in the manner described by U.S. Authorities.

During a regular news conference, foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian defended China’s international conduct.

China is a country governed by the rule of law and has always strictly abided by international law and respected all countries’ judicial sovereignty.Lin Jian, Foreign Ministry Spokesman

While Lu Jianwang has been convicted, his co-defendant, Chen Jinping, remains awaiting sentencing.