Queens man Yuanjun Tang has pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges, admitting his role as an unregistered agent of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) in the United States. The plea was entered before U.S. District Judge John G. Koeltl. Tang, a naturalized citizen and resident of Flushing, Queens, is scheduled for sentencing on January 29, 2026.
Tang has been accused of exploiting his position among pro-democracy activists to act as a covert intelligence gatherer for the PRC. U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton charged that Tang’s actions threatened the security of New Yorkers exercising their rights to free speech and association. “Tang’s plea today illustrates our profound commitment to protecting American ideals from malign foreign influence,” Clayton stated.
According to Assistant Director in Charge Christopher G. Raia of the FBI’s New York Field Office, “Tang admitted that he acted on orders of the Chinese government to report on the activities of U.S.-based Chinese dissidents.” Raia emphasized the FBI’s dedication to defending constitutional freedoms and bringing justice to those who act against American interests.
Public court filings, statements in proceedings, and charging documents reveal Tang’s background as a former PRC citizen imprisoned for opposing the CCP. After defecting to Taiwan and gaining political asylum in the U.S., he became an advocate for democracy in China. However, between 2018 and June 2023, he worked for the PRC’s Ministry of State Security (MSS), gathering information on persons of interest and providing intelligence on pro-democracy activities.
Details include Tang receiving instructions from MSS officers, submitting to polygraphs, and traveling to Macau and mainland China. He was also charged with providing contact information of immigration lawyers and details about the political asylum process in the U.S. The case underscores the ongoing threat posed by foreign espionage operations on American soil.
Tang accepted monetary payments for his work and facilitated communication with MSS intelligence officers through a cellphone app, allowing real-time transmission of photographs and other information. His guilty plea is a significant victory for national security and the fight against foreign influence in the United States.
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Key Facts
- State: New York
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Public Corruption|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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