China's Consul General Expelled After Aide's Espionage Charges

China's consul general in New York has been expelled following the arrest of Linda Sun, a former aide to Governor Kathy Hochul, who was charged with acting as an agent for the Chinese government. Sun allegedly received millions in exchange for political favors and obstructed Taiwanese officials. Hochul was not implicated.

China's consul general in New York has been expelled, CNN reported on Wednesday, just a day after a former aide to New York Governor Kathy Hochul was charged with secretly acting as an agent of the Chinese government.

During an event on Tuesday, Hochul expressed her desire to have the consul general expelled and later confirmed that the consul general was no longer part of the New York mission. The U.S. State Department and China's embassy in Washington have not responded to requests for comment.

Linda Sun, aged 41, a former aide to Hochul, was charged Tuesday with acting covertly on behalf of the Chinese government in exchange for millions in compensation and gifts, including meals of gourmet duck. Sun and her husband, Chris Hu, aged 40, pleaded not guilty to criminal charges before U.S. Magistrate Judge Peggy Kuo in Brooklyn, following their arrest on Tuesday morning. Federal prosecutors in Brooklyn alleged that Sun obstructed Taiwanese officials from meeting state representatives and facilitated a high-level visit to China by a New York state official. It is claimed that the Chinese government, in return, arranged multi-million-dollar transactions for Hu, enabling the couple to purchase a 2024 Ferrari Roma sports car and properties worth approximately $6 million. Hochul, not implicated in the wrongdoing, terminated Sun's employment in March 2023 and promptly reported the misconduct to authorities. Throughout the investigation, her office has assisted law enforcement.

(With inputs from agencies.)