On October 13, a seminar was co-hosted in Flushing, New York, by the Overseas Chinese Democracy Movement Coordination Committee, the All-China Women’s Federation, and the Christian Alliance for Justice. Prominent democracy activists Wei Jingsheng, Wang Dan, and Chen Pokong were in attendance to discuss how overseas activists can navigate the current challenges, especially in the wake of accusations against high-ranking officials in New York City’s government being labeled as “agents of the Chinese Communist Party” (CCP).
Recently, the U.S. Department of Justice charged Linda Sun, the deputy chief of staff to New York Governor Kathy Hochul, with acting as a foreign agent, alleging interference in American political processes. She faces multiple charges, including violations of the Foreign Agents Registration Act, visa fraud, smuggling, and money laundering. At the same time, federal investigations into Mayor Eric Adams’ corruption case have implicated former aide Winnie Greco, with reports revealing her significant influence on Adams’ team regarding U.S.-China relations over the past decade. Greco officially resigned earlier this month after federal agents searched her homes and office.
Wang Dan, a veteran of the 1989 democracy movement who was unable to attend the seminar in person, sent a video message urging activists to establish a dedicated government department to address cases involving CCP agents infiltrating American society and politics, emphasizing the need to actively counteract the CCP’s reach. Chen Pokong echoed this sentiment, highlighting how the emergence of figures like Sun and Greco underscores the depth and high-level penetration of the CCP into the U.S., advising fellow activists to remain vigilant.
Additionally, Wang Shujun, a long-time activist in East Coast democracy organizations, was recently found guilty of conspiracy to act as a foreign agent and other charges. He is a co-founder of the Memorial Foundation for Hu Yaobang and Zhao Ziyang, but he misused his position to collect information on overseas activists and pass it on to the Chinese government, betraying the foundation’s mission. During the seminar, Wei Jingsheng pointed out that the CCP often seeks to recruit or compromise democracy activists and stressed that overseas activists need to sharpen their discernment to avoid division within their ranks.
