Chinese Consul's Departure Amid Espionage Allegations: The Inside Story

China's consul general in New York, Huang Ping, completed his posting last month amid allegations involving his aide acting as a Chinese agent. U.S. officials confirmed his departure was a routine rotation, not an expulsion, despite calls from New York Governor Kathy Hochul for his removal.

The State Department clarified on Wednesday that China's consul general in New York, Huang Ping, left his post last month as per a regularly scheduled rotation, dismissing speculation about his expulsion. Governor Kathy Hochul had recently requested Huang's expulsion following the arrest of her former aide, Linda Sun, on charges of secretly acting as a Chinese agent.

State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller emphasized that the consul general's departure was not related to expulsion. "The consul general reached the end of a regular scheduled rotation in August," Miller said, adding that China's embassy maintains its diplomats do not interfere in domestic affairs of other nations.

Prosecutors allege that Sun, alongside her husband Chris Hu, benefitted financially from these activities, with purchases including a Ferrari Roma and properties worth $6 million. Hochul, not accused of any misconduct, had alerted authorities and cooperated fully with law enforcement.

(With inputs from agencies.)