Queens Assemblyman Ron Kim has recently shed light on a troubling scheme, allegedly spearheaded by operatives with ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), to sabotage his re-election efforts. This revelation, initially reported by the New York Post, highlights a disturbing case of foreign interference in U.S. elections, raising significant concerns over national security and the sanctity of American democracy.
Kim claims that groups associated with the CCP sought to undermine his candidacy during the Democratic primary in June by influencing the election in the predominantly Asian Flushing district. “There were blatant attempts by foreign actors to manipulate the election outcome,” said Kim. “They aimed to seize control of the Flushing seat.” Despite these efforts, Kim secured victory, though by a slim margin of just 443 votes.
Central to this conspiracy is Linda Sun, a former aide to Governors Kathy Hochul and Andrew Cuomo. Sun, along with her husband Christopher Hu, has been arrested and charged with acting as unregistered foreign agents for the CCP. Federal prosecutors allege that Sun used her influence within the governor’s office to disrupt U.S. foreign policy, including hindering diplomatic initiatives aimed at strengthening relations with Taiwan, a matter of high importance to China. In return, Sun and her husband reportedly received millions in kickbacks, which were funneled into their luxurious lifestyle.
What makes this case especially concerning is the CCP’s calculated targeting of New York’s Asian communities. Kim, a long-standing advocate for Taiwan and a critic of the CCP, has faced opposition from pro-CCP entities throughout his political career. In this instance, the CCP reportedly supported his primary challenger, Yi Andy Chen, with backing from the American Chinese Commerce Association, an organization allegedly linked to the CCP and led by John Chan, who has maintained close ties to Chinese officials and promoted pro-Beijing initiatives.
Kim emphasized that the CCP’s interference in his race reflects a broader strategy. “This is a multi-layered operation,” Kim warned, noting that the continued unchecked influence of foreign powers in U.S. elections poses a grave threat to democracy. While the immediate aim was local politics, the larger goal appeared to be embedding Chinese influence within U.S. governance structures.
This incident has sparked outrage, particularly given the increasing CCP presence in U.S. cities with large Asian populations. Kim observed that while most immigrants from China and other Asian countries come to the U.S. seeking freedom, there is a growing number of organizations tied to the CCP working to advance Beijing’s agenda, often through attempts to silence critics and install pro-China candidates.
Sun’s role in this scandal, leveraging her position within the state government to further Chinese interests, exemplifies the CCP’s deep infiltration into U.S. institutions. Her efforts to facilitate meetings with Chinese officials, hinder Taiwanese diplomacy, and weaken U.S.-Taiwan relations have crossed the line from corruption into a serious breach of national security.
This case underscores the ongoing concerns over foreign interference in American politics, particularly from China. Kim’s narrow victory, driven by his strong defense of democratic values, highlights the vulnerabilities within the U.S. political system. As Kim himself admitted, “I’m not sure how we can stop it,” reflecting the mounting difficulties faced by U.S. politicians and voters in preventing such foreign meddling.
ACZ Editor: This begs the question—how often does this happen across the nation? The influence of the Chinese Communist Party is not limited to ethnic Chinese. Many individuals in mid-level positions of power, be it in government, media, or industry, are susceptible to corruption.
