Chinese American scholar Shujun Wang was convicted of acting as a secret agent for the Chinese government by gathering information on dissidents and feeding it back to Beijing. Despite pleading not guilty, a federal jury found him guilty of conspiring to act as a foreign agent without notifying the attorney general, which could result in up to 25 years in prison. Four Chinese officials who were charged alongside Wang remain at large. His sentencing is set for January 9.
Wang, who helped found the Hu Yaobang and Zhao Ziyang Memorial Foundation, was accused of using his reputation as a pro-democracy activist to build rapport with those who opposed the Chinese government, all the while betraying their trust by sharing their conversations and plans with Chinese officials. Prosecutors highlighted the emails, encrypted messages, and drafts Wang used to relay sensitive information about Hong Kong democracy protesters, advocates for Taiwanese independence, Uyghur and Tibetan activists, and others.
Despite Wang’s defense that he did not provide significant information to Chinese authorities, FBI agents testified that he did acknowledge gathering information on democracy advocates when requested. Wang’s attorneys painted him as an open and gregarious academic, while agents testified about his seemingly nonchalant attitude towards providing information to Chinese officials. Wang’s actions were seen by prosecutors as an example of “transnational repression,” targeting critics living abroad. The Chinese embassy in Washington has denied engaging in such practices and has criticized the U.S. for its prosecution of Chinese officials.
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