Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
US Citizen Accused of Spying on Behalf of Chinese Government
gvw_ap_news
By Associated Press
Published 6 years ago on
October 1, 2019

Share

SAN FRANCISCO — A California man who operates tours for Chinese students and visitors was charged with being an illegal foreign agent and delivering classified U.S. national security information to officials in China, U.S. government officials announced Monday.

“We have criminal spies that are running around in our area of responsibility and it’s the FBI’s mission to stop this, so what’s going on in the rest of the world, it doesn’t matter to us.” — John Bennett, the FBI agent in charge of San Francisco
U.S. Attorney David L. Anderson accused Xuehua Edward Peng, 56, of a “combination of age-old spycraft and modern technology.”
“The charges announced today provide a rare glimpse into the secret efforts of the People’s Republic of China to obtain classified national security information from the United States,” Anderson said.
The U.S. is engaged in a trade war with China, but John Bennett, the FBI agent in charge of San Francisco, said international politics had nothing to do with the arrest and charges against Peng.
“We have criminal spies that are running around in our area of responsibility and it’s the FBI’s mission to stop this, so what’s going on in the rest of the world, it doesn’t matter to us,” he said.
FBI Director Christopher Wray has said China poses a more serious counterintelligence threat to the United States than any other country, including Russia.

Multiple Cases Involving Chinese Espionage

In July, he testified before a Senate panel that the FBI had more than 1,000 investigations involving economic espionage and attempted intellectual property theft, nearly all of which lead back to China.
The Justice Department has brought multiple cases in the past year involving Chinese espionage and has also brought charges against operatives working with the Ministry of State Security as law enforcement officials grapple with how to deal with an increasing threat of China trying to steal information from American companies.
Last October, prosecutors charged a Chinese spy with attempting to steal trade secrets from several American aviation and aerospace companies, the first time an MSS operative was extradited to the U.S.
Anderson did not say how long Peng had been operating as a spy for China’s Ministry of State Security, only that the FBI employed a double agent in 2015 who conducted exchanges with Peng in the San Francisco Bay Area and in Columbus, Georgia.
Over six occasions between 2015 and 2018, Peng would secure a hotel room and leave up to $20,000 there, authorities said in the criminal complaint. The double agent would then get a key to the room, take the cash and leave a digital card containing information, it said.
Peng would then take the card and travel to Beijing to meet Chinese intelligence officers, authorities said.

He Could Face up to 10 Years in Prison

Authorities say the unnamed double agent went to the FBI in 2015 after China’s intelligence department tried to recruit the person as a spy.

Peng was arrested at his home Friday and ordered held without bond at a hearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Joseph C. Spero. He is scheduled to return to court Wednesday.
The criminal complaint says Peng is a naturalized U.S. citizen who entered the country on a temporary business visitor visa and became a permanent resident in 2006. Peng was naturalized in September 2012.
He holds an acupuncturist license from the state.
Peng was arrested at his home Friday and ordered held without bond at a hearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Joseph C. Spero. He is scheduled to return to court Wednesday.
Court records indicate Peng will be represented by the federal public defender’s office. The office did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.
Qian Peng, the suspect’s daughter, said he could not comment because she had not seen the charges against him.
Anderson did not elaborate on Peng’s tour operations. Public records list Peng as president of U.S. Tour and Travel in San Francisco, but no website for the company was found in an online search.
If convicted, he could face up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

Trump Signs Proclamation Banning Travel From 12 Countries, CBS News Reports

DON'T MISS

Sunnyvale Pitmaster Smokes Fresno BBQ Competition for Golden Ticket to World Championships

DON'T MISS

What We Know About the Colorado Attack on Israeli Hostage Demonstrators

DON'T MISS

Visalia Motorists Take Note: Traffic Shift Coming to Riggin Avenue

DON'T MISS

Really, Secretary Rubio? I’m Lying About the Kids Dying Under Trump?

DON'T MISS

Judge Denies Release in Caleb Quick Killing. Defense Cites Alleged Assaults by Victim

DON'T MISS

Nebraska Is the Latest State to Ban Transgender Students From Girls’ Sports

DON'T MISS

US Vetoes UN Security Council Resolution Demanding an Immediate Gaza Ceasefire

DON'T MISS

International Basketball Comes to Fresno: Armenia vs. Costa Rica

DON'T MISS

Wired Wednesday: A New Research Hub in Southeast Fresno?

UP NEXT

It’s Expensive to Become a Teacher in California. This Bill Would Pay Those Who Try

UP NEXT

Suspect Arrested in Connection With Deadly California Fertility Clinic Bombing

UP NEXT

Mexico to Announce ‘Measures’ Next Week if No Deal on US Metals Tariffs

UP NEXT

Pressure Mounts on Netanyahu as Opposition Moves to Dissolve Parliament

UP NEXT

US Sees No Viable Path for California High-Speed Rail Project, May Rescind $4 Billion

UP NEXT

US Judge Dismisses California’s Tariff Lawsuit, Teeing up Appeal

UP NEXT

Young Democrats Offer Lessons for Their Leaders at Party Convention

UP NEXT

California Prisons Have a Narcotics Problem. Now, More People Will Face Canine Searches

UP NEXT

California Inmate Gets Five Years for Role in Drone Drug Smuggling Scheme

UP NEXT

Trump Threatens California With Fines After Trans Athlete Wins Girls’ State Titles

Fresno Police Want Your Tips to Solve Taylor Washington Homicide

2 hours ago

Derek Carr Explains Mysterious Retirement. He Didn’t Want to ‘Just Take the Saints’ Money’

3 hours ago

What Do Valley Leaders Say About Trump’s Threat to Yank High-Speed Rail Funding?

3 hours ago

Were Cuts in Rooftop Solar Payments Legal? CA Supreme Court Hears Arguments

4 hours ago

Fresno Rainbow Pride Marks 35th Year with Saturday Parade and Festival

4 hours ago

Did That Clint Eastwood Interview Happen? Yes, Kind Of.

4 hours ago

Biden’s IRS Doubled Audits on the Wealthy, Data Shows

5 hours ago

Millions Would Lose Their Obamacare Coverage Under Trump’s Bill

5 hours ago

New CA Bill Would Streamline Solar Conversion for Dry Farmland

5 hours ago

Supreme Court Rules Catholic Charity Exempt From State Unemployment Taxes

5 hours ago

Israeli Military Strikes Beirut’s Southern Suburbs

(CAIRO) (Reuters) -The Israeli military said on Thursday that it was attacking Hezbollah targets in Beirut’s southern suburbs, and the...

8 minutes ago

8 minutes ago

Israeli Military Strikes Beirut’s Southern Suburbs

Webster, GV Wire's Adoptable Pet of the Week, June 5, 2025
13 minutes ago

Wondrous Webster Has the Makings of a Wonderful Family Member

15 minutes ago

Trump Threatens Musk’s Government Deals as Feud Explodes Over Tax-Cut Bill

2 hours ago

Fresno Police Want Your Tips to Solve Taylor Washington Homicide

3 hours ago

Derek Carr Explains Mysterious Retirement. He Didn’t Want to ‘Just Take the Saints’ Money’

3 hours ago

What Do Valley Leaders Say About Trump’s Threat to Yank High-Speed Rail Funding?

4 hours ago

Were Cuts in Rooftop Solar Payments Legal? CA Supreme Court Hears Arguments

4 hours ago

Fresno Rainbow Pride Marks 35th Year with Saturday Parade and Festival

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend