California Mayor Charged with Acting as Chinese Agent, Spreading Propaganda

A California mayor accused of acting as a Chinese agent has drawn fresh attention to foreign influence concerns across U.S. institutions.

The case of former Arcadia Mayor Eileen Wang adds to incidents from Congress to campuses and local government that have sparked alarms about China-linked activity.

Federal prosecutors say Wang worked at the direction and control of Chinese officials. She pushed pro-Beijing messaging through a website disguised as a local news outlet. In one exchange, a Chinese official sent her pre-written content denying human rights abuses in Xinjiang. Minutes later, Wang posted it and sent back the link. The official replied, "So fast, thank you everyone." Wang responded, "Thank you leader."

Wang was elected to the Arcadia City Council in 2022 and later became mayor. She has agreed to plead guilty and faces up to 10 years in prison.

"Individuals in our country who covertly do the bidding of foreign governments undermine our democracy," First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli said. Federal officials say the case warns of foreign influence reaching local government levels.

The Arcadia case coincides with former Rep. Eric Swalwell's resignation from Congress amid sexual misconduct allegations under House Ethics Committee review. Renewed attention focuses on his past ties to suspected Chinese operative Christine Fang, also known as Fang Fang. Critics call for release of FBI files on the matter.

Fang, first reported in 2020, allegedly built relationships with up-and-coming California politicians, including Swalwell, and helped fundraise for campaigns. She left the U.S. in 2015 amid a federal investigation. Swalwell's campaign accepted a $25,000 donation from a CCP-tied lawyer.

Swalwell says he cut off contact after FBI alert and has not been charged. A prior House Ethics Committee review found no evidence of misconduct. Still, new allegations have fueled calls for transparency. "It’s time for Congress to vote to release Eric Swalwell’s FBI file," Article III Project President Mike Davis said. "His counterintelligence risks must be staggering."

Concerns about Chinese influence in U.S. political offices go back years. In 2014, the FBI told the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein that a longtime staffer in her California office had drawn Chinese intelligence attention. The staffer served as a liaison to the Chinese American community, attended Chinese consulate events and contacted individuals linked to China’s Ministry of State Security.

Feinstein said the individual was not a spy but someone a foreign intelligence service thought it could recruit. The staffer was removed.

Lawmakers have warned of China-linked influence in U.S. classrooms. Reports note heavy foreign funding to universities from China, raising issues of transparency, research security and academic influence. Some point to China-linked school programs that critics say expose students to foreign messaging.

"American schools are for education, not espionage," Rep. Aaron Bean said while introducing the TRACE Act. The bill would require schools to disclose foreign funding, contracts and curriculum materials.

Federal authorities have probed alleged Chinese "police stations" in the U.S., including New York City. These outposts reportedly monitored, harassed or pressured Chinese nationals abroad and tried to coerce returns to China. Officials warn such operations would breach U.S. sovereignty.

The cases span Capitol Hill, college campuses and local government. Federal officials say foreign adversaries including China work to expand influence inside the U.S.