hree men, including a retired NYPD sergeant, were convicted in Brooklyn federal court on June 20 for their involvement in stalking a family in New Jersey and pressuring them to return to China on behalf of the Chinese communist regime. The case is connected to China’s Operation Fox Hunt, an initiative aimed at coercing expatriates and dissidents to come back to China for trial. The defendants, Michael McMahon, Zheng Congying, and Zhu Yong, faced charges of harassing, threatening, intimidating, and monitoring Xu Jin, a former Chinese official living in New Jersey, and his wife over a three-year period from 2016 to 2019. The operation was directed and funded by the Chinese government.
The convictions of these individuals serve as a stark reminder of China’s ongoing illegal behavior within the United States, as noted by Assistant Director of the FBI’s Counterintelligence Division. McMahon was convicted of acting as an illegal foreign agent and conspiracy to commit interstate stalking, Zheng was convicted of interstate stalking and conspiracy to commit interstate stalking, and Zhu Yong was convicted of stalking, acting as an illegal foreign agent, and conspiracy to commit interstate stalking and act as an illegal foreign agent.
According to court documents, Zhu Yong hired Michael McMahon, a retired NYPD sergeant, to locate Xu Jin’s address in the United States. Zheng Congying then visited Xu’s residence and left a threatening note, while Chinese officials Ji Hu and Lan Tu traveled to the United States in an attempt to track Xu and coerce him to return to China. They even went so far as to bring Xu’s frail 82-year-old father to persuade him. In connection with this case, eight other individuals have also been charged.
Despite their claims of being victims deceived and used by Beijing, the defendants denied knowingly working for the Chinese regime. However, prosecutors presented multiple pieces of evidence to counter their claims. The maximum sentences for the charges are 20 years for McMahon, 25 years for Zhu, and 10 years for Zheng.
Operation Fox Hunt was launched by Beijing in 2014 as part of Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s anti- corruption campaign. While the Chinese Communist Party claimed the operation aimed to bring back corrupt officials who had fled abroad, human rights groups have found that it has also targeted Chinese dissidents. Safeguard Defenders estimated that around 10,000 individuals have been captured from abroad, leading to fear within Chinese diaspora communities and raising concerns about human rights violations.
The Zhu-Zheng-McMahon case highlights the enforcement of the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) by the U.S. Justice Department. FARA, enacted in 1938 to prevent Nazi German propaganda, has been utilized to combat foreign influence and infiltration, particularly from the Chinese Communist
Party (CCP). Given the presence of numerous Chinese overseas intelligence-gathering agencies, some Chinese-Americans and expatriates may unknowingly violate U.S. laws by assisting the CCP.
In addition to Operation Fox Hunt, the CCP has established covert police stations in Chinese communities overseas to coerce dissidents to return to China. These operations employ various methods, including threats to family members, direct harassment, and the deployment of covert agents. The United States has arrested several CCP agents in Chinese communities, accusing them of violating FARA. These cases highlight the ongoing efforts to address Chinese interference and espionage in the United States.
The convictions of McMahon, Zheng, and Zhu serve as a significant development in countering China’s covert operations and illegal activities targeting Chinese expatriates and dissidents. They demonstrate the commitment of the U.S. government to enforce laws that protect national security and preserve the rights of individuals residing in the country. By holding accountable those involved in such actions, the United States sends a strong message against foreign interference and upholds the principles of justice and sovereignty. It also serves as a warning to other individuals who may be involved in similar activities on behalf of the Chinese regime.
These convictions come amid heightened scrutiny of China’s actions in the international arena. The international community has been increasingly critical of China’s human rights record, particularly in its treatment of dissidents and minorities. The Chinese government’s use of coercion and intimidation to bring individuals back to China for trial has raised concerns about due process, fairness, and the protection of human rights.
In conclusion, the convictions of Michael McMahon, Zheng Congying, and Zhu Yong shed light on China’s illicit activities targeting expatriates and dissidents residing in the United States. The case highlights the enforcement of laws such as the Foreign Agents Registration Act and underscores the ongoing efforts to address Chinese interference and espionage. The convictions serve as a significant step in countering China’s covert operations, sending a clear message that the United States is committed to safeguarding national security and protecting the rights of individuals within its borders.
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