Eileen Wang, 58, the former mayor of Arcadia, California, has agreed to plead guilty to acting as an illegal foreign agent of China, facing up to 10 years in federal prison. Wang resigned from the city council last week after serving since 2022; the council rotates the mayoral post, and she held it at the time of her resignation.
According to a plea agreement filed by the US Justice Department, Wang and an associate worked with the People's Republic of China to promote Beijing's interests, including publishing pro-PRC propaganda on a website presented as a news source for the local Chinese American community. The charges relate to activities before her election, but experts note China often seeks to place agents in local positions with potential to ascend.
Foreign policy experts say such influence efforts are widespread. Joshua Kurlantzick of the Council on Foreign Relations described them as 'very, very, very common', noting China's dedicated agency for meddling in foreign governments, often targeting diaspora communities. He added that mayors and state legislators are frequent targets due to limited resources and expertise.
Federal law requires individuals acting on behalf of foreign governments to register under the Foreign Agents Registration Act or other statutes. Wang faces a fine of up to $250,000 in addition to potential prison time. Rose Chan Loui of UCLA noted the broad scope of US law, which can apply to any activity intended to influence public opinion about a foreign entity.
City officials called the charges 'deeply troubling' but urged the community to move forward. Experts stress such efforts are not limited to Chinese American communities; a 2023 Associated Press investigation found China had made inroads with officials in Utah, including the then House speaker.
