Following comments by New York Governor Kathy Hochul that China’s consul general in New York had been removed in connection with her former aide’s arrest for acting as an agent of the Chinese government, the U.S. State Department clarified on Wednesday that no expulsion had taken place.
According to Matthew Miller, a State Department spokesperson, the diplomat’s departure coincided with the end of a regular rotation. “The consul general was not expelled. They completed their scheduled assignment and left at the end of August,” Miller said during a press briefing.
However, a spokesperson from the Chinese Consulate in New York told CNN that Huang Ping, the consul general in question, was still “performing his duties as usual,” contradicting both Hochul’s and the State Department’s statements.
At a press conference earlier in the day, Governor Hochul mentioned that she had been in discussions with the State Department regarding Huang Ping’s status, following a request from Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Hochul claimed she had spoken to Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell, and during that call, expressed her desire to have the consul general expelled. According to her, she was informed that the diplomat had been removed from their position at the New York Mission.
When asked to confirm whether the consul general had been officially expelled, Hochul appeared uncertain, stating, “I know that they’re no longer in their position. That’s all I know.”
Miller reiterated the department’s position: “There was no expulsion. The consul general completed a standard rotation and was not forced out of the role.”
He added that while there was no formal expulsion, the U.S. government takes foreign interference seriously, particularly covert activities that require registration under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA). He referenced recent actions by the Department of Justice, which underscored the government’s concern about such issues.
Hochul’s remarks came on the heels of the indictment of Linda Sun, her former deputy chief of staff, who was charged with several offenses, including violations of FARA, visa fraud, and money laundering conspiracy. Sun’s husband, Chris Hu, also faces charges of money laundering and conspiracy to commit bank fraud. Both defendants pleaded not guilty during their court appearance on Tuesday.
Governor Hochul expressed her disappointment in Sun’s actions, calling them “a betrayal” and mentioning that Sun had even forged her signature on official documents. She added that she has been cooperating with the Department of Justice for months and will continue to assist as the investigation unfolds.
Hochul clarified that Sun held a mid-level role in her administration and had limited involvement in her policies. She emphasized her confidence in the state’s current vetting processes, which include rigorous background checks.
As the investigation continues, Hochul acknowledged that she is unable to provide additional details at this time, noting that more information will emerge through future court proceedings.
This diplomatic incident, paired with the criminal charges against Sun, has sparked wider conversations about foreign influence in U.S. political systems and the role of diplomats in facilitating such activities. The case underscores the increasing focus by U.S. authorities on enforcing laws like FARA to address covert foreign influence.