How China quietly builds power in American cities

A former mayor in California just admitted to working for China behind the scenes. Eileen Wang held office in Arcadia, a small city near Los Angeles, but secretly followed orders from Beijing. Prosecutors say this case isn’t rare—it’s part of a long-term strategy where China places supporters in local government to push its interests. These supporters aren’t just influencing policies; they’re also tracking down people who criticize China, even if those critics live in the U. S. One example involves two men, Cui Guanghai from China and John Miller from the UK, who tried to silence a man in Southern California. They hired undercover FBI agents to threaten him and even offered money to stop him from speaking out against China’s leaders. When they couldn’t hide anymore, they fled through Europe but disappeared after cutting off their ankle monitors. Their goal? To help China control its critics, no matter where they are.This case shows how far China will go to protect its image and influence. Wang’s story adds to concerns about foreign interference in American politics. She rose in local politics while secretly working for Beijing, meeting powerful figures like California’s attorney general. Another case involved a U. S. representative, Eric Swalwell, whose ties to a suspected Chinese spy raised questions about gifts and connections from foreign governments. Recent raids in Lancaster, California, also point to possible spying through electric buses made by a Chinese company. Investigators worry these buses could be used to gather information. While these events might seem unrelated, they all point to one question: How much control does China seek in American towns?