A prominent Chinese community leader in New York has been sentenced to prison for working as an unregistered agent of the Chinese Communist Party, exposing Beijing’s reach into American communities.
At a Glance
- New York businessman Quanzhong An was sentenced to 20 months in federal prison for acting as an illegal agent of the Chinese Communist Party
- An participated in China’s “Operation Fox Hunt” campaign, pressuring a Chinese expatriate to return to China
- The convicted businessman was ordered to pay $1.3 million in restitution and forfeit over $5 million in assets
- This case is part of a broader pattern of Chinese government influence operations targeting expatriates in the United States
- U.S. officials are working to balance national security concerns with avoiding unfair targeting of Chinese Americans
Prominent Community Leader Sentenced for Working with Chinese Government
Quanzhong An, a prominent Chinese businessman in New York, has been sentenced to 20 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to acting as an illegal agent of the Chinese Communist Party. An, who held significant influence in New York’s Chinese community, participated in a campaign to pressure Liu Shenxiang, a Chinese expatriate who fled to the United States in 2000, to return to China under duress. The federal court also ordered An to pay $1.3 million in restitution to Liu and forfeit over $5 million in assets. Following his prison term, An may face deportation.
— Richard Collins, The Internet Foundation (@RichardKCollin2) April 6, 2025
Operation Fox Hunt: Beijing’s Long Arm in America
The case against An is linked to China’s controversial “Operation Fox Hunt,” an initiative ostensibly aimed at repatriating fugitives but widely criticized by U.S. officials as a tool for transnational repression. Under direction from Chinese government officials, An coordinated efforts to harass and surveil Liu, delivering threats to both Liu and his family members. Despite his prominent position in the Chinese business community in New York, An failed to register as a foreign agent as required by U.S. law, which ultimately led to his conviction.
“We need to defend America from Chinese spies with diligence and accountability, while avoiding witch hunts,” said Helen Raleigh.
The FBI has identified the Chinese government as a significant threat in terms of transnational repression, citing ongoing efforts to surveil and intimidate individuals residing in the United States. Department of Justice investigations into similar cases of foreign interference continue, with federal authorities prioritizing threats from authoritarian regimes targeting individuals on American soil. According to prosecutors, An’s case represents a clear example of how foreign governments attempt to extend their reach into expatriate communities in the United States.
A Pattern of Infiltration in American Institutions
The An case is not isolated. Recently, Linda Sun, a former New York State employee, and her husband were charged with acting as undisclosed agents for the Chinese government. Sun, who held significant positions in New York’s government, allegedly engaged in activities advancing China’s interests while receiving financial benefits and special treatment for her family in China.
Prosecutors accused her of “violating and conspiring to violate the Foreign Agents Registration Act” while “blocking representatives of the Taiwanese government from having access to high-level New York State officers.”
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China’s United Front Work and the Challenge for American Security
Security experts point to China’s United Front Work Department (UFWD) as a key player in overseas influence campaigns. The UFWD reportedly uses both incentives and threats to recruit individuals for espionage and influence operations. The challenge for American authorities lies in balancing necessary national security measures with avoiding unfair targeting of Chinese Americans. This includes implementing enhanced background checks and security screenings for individuals with access to sensitive information, while being careful not to create an environment of suspicion based solely on ethnicity.
Many security analysts believe the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) needs updating, as current penalties are often insufficient to deter espionage activities. However, historical precedents, such as the case of scientist Qian Xuesen, whose deportation to China in the 1950s resulted in significant advancements for China’s missile program, serve as cautionary tales against overreaching in counterintelligence efforts. The challenge remains finding the proper balance that protects national security without alienating valuable contributors to American society based on their ethnic background or national origin.
