Trial begins for US citizen accused of acting as Chinese agent
The term refers to the surveillance, intimidation and in some cases attempted repatriation or murder of activists against those governments.
Last year, a former New York City police sergeant was convicted of acting as an illegal Chinese agent by intimidating a US-based fugitive to return to his homeland to face charges.
Wang, in his mid-70s, faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted. Jury selection began on Monday before US Circuit Judge Denny Chin, who normally hears appeals, in Brooklyn federal court.
Prosecutors say MSS officials directed Wang to target Hong Kong pro-democracy activists, advocates for Taiwanese independence campaigners and Uygur and Tibetan activists.
Defence lawyers said in a June 16 court filing that Wang communicated with Chinese officials to try to “infiltrate and subvert” China’s government by spreading Western political ideas.
“Unfortunately, FBI Agents misunderstood him and his role,” defence lawyer Kevin Tung wrote.
US prosecutors also charged four Chinese intelligence officers who they say acted as Wang’s handlers. Those officers are at large and believed to be in China.