[Correspondent Diary] New York, the 'Eye of the Storm' in US-China Conflict

Pressure on New York Chinese Consulate Instead of San Francisco with High Risk of US Technology Leakage
Increased Pressure After New York Police Arrest Chinese Spy Suspect
Suspicion of Spy Activities Extends from Consulate General to UN Mission

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] New York City is emerging as the 'eye of the storm' in the US-China conflict.

Suspicion from the US is growing toward the Chinese Mission to the United Nations located by the East River on Manhattan's east side and the Chinese Consulate General in New York situated along the Hudson River on Manhattan's west side. Following the closure of the Chinese consulate in Houston, this raises the possibility of another severe diplomatic conflict between the two countries.

Chinese Consulate General in New York (Google Street View capture)

According to the New York Post on the 26th (local time), US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo criticized the Chinese Consulate General in New York as a hub for espionage activities.

Pompeo's remarks came after a Tibetan-American New York police officer was arrested on charges of spying for China. On the 21st, the US Department of Justice announced the arrest of New York City police officer Baimadajie Angwang on charges of acting as an agent of the Chinese government. The DOJ claimed that Angwang, a naturalized American of Tibetan descent, had been working as a Chinese spy under the direction of the Chinese Consulate General in New York since 2014.

Regarding Angwang's arrest, Pompeo targeted the Chinese Consulate General in New York, accusing them of "engaging in activities that cross the line of normal diplomacy" and predicted that "more spies are likely to be arrested."

This has raised concerns that additional expulsions of Chinese diplomatic missions may be imminent, just two months after the US ordered the closure of the Chinese consulate in Houston in July.

Initially, it was speculated that following Houston, the Chinese Consulate General in San Francisco might be the next target of US regulations, as it is located near key technology companies and was suspected to be a forward base for stealing American technology.

However, the US surprised many by mentioning New York instead, catching China off guard.

New York's status as the location of the United Nations headquarters, a center of international multilateral diplomacy, is also seen as a background for the US offensive against the Chinese diplomatic missions in New York.

Pompeo stated, "In New York, there are not only the Chinese Consulate General but also many Chinese diplomats for UN activities," expressing suspicion that there may be spies within the Chinese Mission to the UN as well. When asked if there would be more cases like Angwang, Pompeo answered "absolutely."

US Intent is to Simultaneously Target Chinese Consulate General and UN Mission

In New York, besides the Consulate General, the Chinese Mission to the UN is also located. The Chinese Mission to the UN serves as a forward base defending China against US multilateral diplomatic offensives.

At the UN General Assembly virtual keynote speeches held on the 22nd, both US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered their addresses through their respective UN ambassadors.

Despite President Trump's strong pressure on China at this year's UN General Assembly speech, holding China responsible for the outbreak of COVID-19, Chinese Ambassador to the UN Zhang Jun has focused on deflecting US criticism.

At the Security Council meeting held on the 23rd, a day after the virtual speeches by the two leaders, US Ambassador to the UN Kelly Craft claimed, "The Chinese Communist Party's decision to conceal the origin of the virus and suppress scientific cooperation turned a local epidemic into a global pandemic." In response, Chinese Ambassador Zhang Jun countered, "The US is abusing the UN and Security Council platforms to spread 'political viruses' and fake news, fostering confrontation and division."

Ambassador Craft, who donated large sums to the Republican Party and was appointed as the US Ambassador to the UN during the Trump administration after serving in Canada, is struggling to counter the professional diplomat Zhang Jun, who even has support from Russia. In this context, Pompeo's use of the 'spy' frame to launch an offensive against both the Chinese Consulate General in New York and the Chinese Mission to the UN may be seen as providing support.

New York is also a negative factor for China as it serves as an overseas base for Falun Gong, which China suppresses. Falun Gong founder Li Hongzhi has taken asylum in New York to escape Chinese persecution. Protests condemning the Chinese government's crackdown on Falun Gong are frequently held in front of the Chinese Consulate General in New York. The reporter has witnessed such protests multiple times while passing by.

China Warns Closure of New York Consulate Could Lead to Closure of US Consulates in Hong Kong or Shanghai

China has immediately protested. The Chinese Consulate General in New York stated that Pompeo's accusations are groundless. In a statement regarding Pompeo's remarks, the consulate said, "The Chinese Consulate General in New York acts in accordance with international law and the US-China bilateral agreements, promoting mutual understanding, cooperation, and friendship between the two countries. There has never been any espionage activity."

Hu Xijin, editor-in-chief of the Chinese state-run Global Times, warned, "The US is preparing a new provocation. If the US closes the Chinese consulate in New York, the US consulates in Shanghai or Hong Kong will be closed in response."

Even if the US-China conflict worsens, closing embassies located in each other's capitals is a difficult card to play. To increase pressure under current circumstances, cities with symbolic significance but lower diplomatic rank than embassies are more suitable. Pressure on the Chinese Consulate General in New York may be the strongest pressure card the US can play.

The best scenario is that this card is never put on the table, but the possibility is gradually decreasing. This means preparations for the worst are necessary.