A California mayor has resigned after admitting she secretly worked for the Chinese government.The case has raised new concerns in the United States about foreign influence in domestic politics.Elaine Wang, 58, was the mayor of Arcadia in Southern California, and pleaded guilty to acting as an illegal foreign agent for China after an investigation by the US Department of Justice. She now faces up to 10 years in prison.The Justice Department said Wang worked with 65-year-old Liaoning “Mike” Sun to promote pro-China messages through a Chinese-language website called US News Center, which presented itself as a local news outlet for the Chinese American community.
Wang carried out activities directed by officials from the People’s Republic of China before holding public office. She was elected to the Arcadia City Council in November 2022 and later became mayor.Hours after the plea agreement was announced on Monday, Wang announced her resignation.“Individuals in our country who secretly carry out orders from foreign governments undermine our democracy,” said Assistant US Attorney Bill Essay.
According to court documents, Wang and others regularly communicated with Chinese officials through encrypted WeChat groups. In one example cited by prosecutors, a Chinese official shared pre-written articles in June 2021 defending Beijing’s position on Xinjiang and denying allegations of genocide and forced labor.Within minutes, Wang republished the material on her website and sent the link back to the administrator.
The official replied: “Quickly, thank you everyone.”Wang had been in contact with Jun Chen, whom the Justice Department described as a senior figure linked to Chinese intelligence operations and someone with direct contact with Chinese President Xi Jinping.In November 2021, Wang allegedly asked Chen to circulate one of her articles on her website, writing: “This is what the Foreign Ministry wants to send.”Chen lives in Chino, California, and pleaded guilty in November 2024 to acting as an illegal agent of China and conspiring to bribe a public official.
He was later sentenced to 20 months in federal prison.Sun was arrested in December 2024 and pleaded guilty to acting as an illegal foreign agent. He was sentenced to four years in prison earlier this year.Arcadia officials said Wang’s activities ended before she officially took office.
