China Infiltrating U.S. Local Governments – A Wake-Up Call from Los Angeles County

The Heritage Foundation’s Michael Cunningham has long warned about China’s strategic focus on infiltrating America’s state and local governments. Far surpassing previous geopolitical rivals like Nazi Germany or the Soviet Union, Beijing’s influence operations weave a vast web across schools, businesses, churches, and community organizations. Their tactics often go unnoticed, but the recent scandal in Los Angeles County serves as a stark reminder of just how deep these efforts run. As Cunningham put it, “Beijing targets schools, churches, and community organizations. Its influence is felt on university campuses, in board rooms, and in governors’ mansions. Its agents cultivate aspiring politicians, business elites, and academics early in their careers and use these relationships to influence policymaking decades later, largely unbeknownst to their victims.”

The L.A. County Episode: A Case Study in Influence

Federal prosecutors recently uncovered a Chinese influence scheme operating in California’s San Gabriel Valley. Yaoning “Mike” Sun, a Chino Hills resident, allegedly acted as an illegal agent for the Chinese government. Working alongside another operative, John Chen—who had previously been convicted of bribery and unregistered foreign lobbying—Sun’s mission was clear: cultivate local political allies who would advocate for Beijing’s interests.

Arcadia Councilmember Eileen Wang was identified as a key figure in the operation. While Wang has not been charged and may not have been aware of the scheme, court documents suggest she was viewed by Chinese handlers as a potential rising star—a valuable asset in their long-term strategy. Chen allegedly referred to Wang as a “new political star,” a term suggesting she was carefully groomed for influence.

The plot allegedly included identifying U.S. politicians with whom Wang had connections, collecting photos of her with influential figures, and using these ties to enhance her credibility with Chinese authorities. Chen instructed Sun to compile a list of U.S. politicians Wang was familiar with, emphasizing that “the more the better, the higher position the better.” This level of planning reveals just how calculated and methodical China’s approach has become.

As former LAPD Assistant Chief Horace Frank noted, “They play a long game. They don’t look for a big bang right away. They are going to build from the ground up.”

China’s Goals: Influence, Access, and Control

China’s playbook in the U.S. is both straightforward and insidious. Beijing aims to:

1. Bypass Federal Oversight: State and local governments often lack the resources or expertise to detect sophisticated foreign influence operations.
2. Cultivate Long-Term Assets: By building relationships with young politicians, activists, and community leaders, China hopes to influence future decision-makers.
3. Shape Local Policy: From infrastructure contracts to academic grants, Beijing seeks to ensure policies align with Chinese interests.
4. Exploit Economic Leverage: Offering trade deals, investment opportunities, and financial incentives, China makes itself an indispensable partner.

The ultimate objective is chilling: embed Chinese influence so deeply within the political systems of local governments that policies begin to align subtly, yet consistently, with Beijing’s long-term strategic goals.

How Successful Have They Been?

Unfortunately, quite successful. Incidents like the one in L.A. County are not isolated. From Rep. Eric Swalwell’s entanglement with suspected Chinese spy Christine Fang to alleged covert lobbying campaigns across state legislatures, the breadth of China’s influence is staggering.

In education, Confucius Institutes have acted as propaganda arms disguised as cultural exchange programs. In infrastructure, Chinese state-backed companies have bid for—and won—contracts to build critical systems, potentially embedding vulnerabilities into American security networks. Even more alarming, China-linked businesses have attempted to gain access to sensitive sectors, such as wind farms near military bases, as was exposed in Texas.

Moreover, China has shown a chilling ability to exploit America’s openness. In one case, Chen sent a Chinese official a photo of a local politician with a U.S. congressperson, noting, “The higher position the better.” This isn’t random; it’s strategic.

The Threat is Evolving

Beijing has no need for overt power grabs when subtle manipulation works so effectively. It understands America’s decentralized political system is both its strength and its Achilles’ heel. State and local governments, while crucial for governance, are often under-equipped to detect sophisticated foreign influence operations. Federal laws, such as the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), are woefully inadequate to address the scale and cunning of China’s operations.

Federal officials have sounded the alarm repeatedly. Christopher Wray, Director of the FBI, warned, “They look to cultivate talent early—often state and local officials—to ensure that politicians at all levels of government will be ready to take a call and advocate on behalf of Beijing’s agenda.”

How Can States Defend Against This Threat?

As Cunningham highlights, the fight against Chinese infiltration requires a proactive, multi-layered approach. States must:

1. Enact Clear Legislation: Laws like Texas’ Lone Star Infrastructure Protection Act and Florida’s Foreign Influence Transparency Act set strong precedents.
2. Increase Transparency: Universities and government bodies must disclose financial ties to Chinese entities.
3. Vet Infrastructure Contracts: Companies linked to adversarial foreign governments should not hold critical infrastructure contracts.
4. Educate Local Leaders: State legislators, city council members, and public officials need training on recognizing and resisting foreign influence tactics.
5. Enforce Accountability: Passing laws isn’t enough—they must be enforced with consistency and vigilance.

A Call to Action

The infiltration attempts in Los Angeles County should serve as a wake-up call to every state legislature across the United States. Beijing’s strategy is long-term, methodical, and deeply embedded. State and local governments are not just secondary targets—they are primary battlefields in a larger geopolitical struggle.

This isn’t just a shadowy espionage thriller; it’s a real and present danger to America’s democratic integrity. The threat isn’t coming in tanks or missiles—it’s coming through campaign donations, university grants, and quiet dinners with rising political stars.

The question now is whether America’s state and local leaders are prepared to answer this challenge—or whether they’ll continue to underestimate a threat hiding in plain sight.

This article references insights from Michael Cunningham of the Heritage Foundation and recent reporting from the Los Angeles Times.