Chinese Consulate says envoy was not removed after Hochul remark

The Chinese Consulate in New York denied reports that its top diplomat was removed after a former state government employee was arrested and accused of working for China, contradicting a previous statement made by New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D).

“Consul General Huang Ping is performing his duties as usual. We hope the media will refrain from sensationalizing false information,” a spokesperson for the Chinese Consulate in New York told CNN on Wednesday.

Linda Sun, a former Hochul aide, was arrested this week and charged with acting as an agent of the Chinese government.

During a press conference Wednesday, Hochul said she had conveyed a desire to have Huang Ping expelled to a senior State Department official and was informed the consul general was no longer in the New York mission.

Asked if that meant the diplomat was expelled, Hochul responded, “I know that they’re no longer in their position. That’s all I know.”

Matthew Miller, a State Department spokesperson, said Wednesday that Huang was not expelled, but had rather reached the end of a regularly scheduled rotation and left at the end of August. He identified the official Hochul spoke to as Kurt Campbell, the deputy secretary of State.

But the Chinese Consulate in New York refuted that as well, publishing a press release on its website showing the consul general at work Tuesday.

Sun worked for the New York government from 2012 to 2023, under both former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Hochul, and was reportedly fired after Hochul’s office discovered “evidence of misconduct.”

She and her husband, Chris Hu, pleaded not guilty Tuesday to the sprawling indictment alleging Sun engaged in “numerous political activities” on behalf of the People’s Republic of China and the Chinese Communist Party.

She is accused of providing “improper benefits” to Chinese representatives — including avoiding mention of Taiwan and the oppressed Uyghur minority in government communications — in exchange for money, lavish gifts, travel opportunities and employment benefits for friends and family.

The indictment also alleges she and her husband laundered money to buy their $3.6 million Long Island home and $1.9 million Hawaii condo.

The Hill has reached out to Hochul’s office for additional comment.