New York jury convicts Lu Jianwang of acting as Chinese agent

A New York man, Lu Jianwang, was found guilty on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, in Brooklyn federal court of acting as an unregistered agent of the Chinese government. Prosecutors said he helped establish what they described as a “secret police station” in Manhattan’s Chinatown neighborhood on behalf of Beijing. The verdict came after a week-long trial tied to broader U.S. efforts to counter what officials call transnational repression.

Federal prosecutors said Lu, 64, failed to register with the U.S. Attorney General as a Chinese agent when he assisted in establishing the alleged police station in 2022. Prosecutors also presented evidence that Lu helped the Chinese government locate a pro-democracy activist living in California, according to the case presented in court.

Lu was arrested in April 2023 and pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to act as an unregistered foreign agent, acting as an unregistered agent of China, and obstruction of justice. He faces a potential sentence of up to 30 years in prison.

A co-defendant, Chen Jinping, previously pleaded guilty in 2024 to conspiring to act as an unregistered Chinese agent in connection with the same case.

U.S. investigations into “transnational repression”

The U.S. Justice Department has intensified investigations into what it terms “transnational repression” by foreign adversaries, including China and Iran. Officials say these efforts can involve attempts to intimidate political opponents who are living in the United States.

The prosecution of Lu is part of that broader push, with prosecutors arguing that the activity tied to the alleged Chinatown office amounted to undisclosed work on behalf of a foreign government.

China rejects allegations over overseas service centers

China’s government has dismissed the charges as fabricated and part of an effort to smear the country’s image. Beijing has said overseas centers are run by local volunteers to help Chinese citizens renew documents and access other services, and are not operated by Chinese police officers.

Sentencing has not been included in the court details provided. The case is expected to continue through post-verdict proceedings ahead of a final sentence.