On December 10, 2025, in New York, the trial of former deputy chief of staff to Governor Hochul, Sun Wen, and her husband, Hu Xiao, on charges including acting as foreign agents, receiving kickbacks, and money laundering entered its 15th day. Assistant Federal Prosecutor Alexander Solomon stated in his closing argument to the jury that Sun Wen provided political favors to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and blocked Taipei’s official channels to the US government, while her husband, Hu Xiao, was responsible for converting the resulting benefits into family income.
Solomon described Sun Wen as someone who was solely focused on money, with her managing political operations and Hu Xiao handling financial transactions, effectively transforming their acts of betrayal against New York State into economic gains. He showed the jury a photo of Sun Wen’s iPhone case, which had the words “Get rich and prosper, wish you good luck” inscribed on it.
Sun Wen was depicted as a key figure in a massive Chinese influence operation, operating outside the scope of the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), and interfering in New York state government affairs. She repeatedly briefed the Chinese consulate in New York on internal state government assessments, including considerations for the governor’s election running mate, as well as her private views on Chinese domestic political events like Xi Jinping’s removal of term limits, taking concrete actions to advance political interests concerning Beijing.
Numerous pieces of evidence indicated that Sun Wen made every effort to prevent official interaction between Taiwan and the New York State government. She even privately added Vice Consul Li Lihua from the Chinese Consulate to internal government phone meetings regarding pandemic response in New York. Messages submitted by the prosecution revealed Sun Wen describing Governor Hochul as “more compliant and obedient than Cuomo” to Consul General Huang Ping and referring to herself as part of the same team as the consulate.
Hu Xiao’s seafood export company, Foodie Fisherman, which he started operating in April 2016, started small but quickly transformed into a lucrative business catering to the Chinese market. Solomon highlighted the intertwined nature of Sun Wen’s political actions and her husband’s commercial interests. For instance, in February 2019, when Hu Xiao’s lobster shipment was detained at Guangzhou Baiyun Airport in China, Sun Wen urgently contacted the president of the East USA Chinese Federation, Liang Guanjun, for assistance. The US Department of Justice has now identified the latter as a CCP proxy organization.
Communication records presented in court showed Sun Wen providing Liang Guanjun with Hu Xiao’s business card and requesting assistance in contacting “capable leaders” at the Guangzhou Customs office for the release of the goods. Liang Guanjun expressed willingness to help. Five months later, Sun Wen attended a protest against Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen organized by Liang Guanjun in New York.
In this pivotal event, while Sun Wen disclosed details of Tsai Ing-wen’s visit to Liang Guanjun, she falsely informed the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New York that the governor could not attend Tsai’s banquet due to a “scheduling conflict,” effectively blocking the invitation process. The prosecution argued that this incident reflected a quid pro quo between private business entreaties and political cooperation.
Hu Xiao not only benefited from local Chinese government connections in his seafood business but also allegedly engaged in kickback schemes through personal protective equipment (PPE) procurement during the pandemic, collaborating with a company controlled by Sun Wen’s cousin. Internal spreadsheets on Hu Xiao’s computer meticulously outlined anticipated profits from contracts related to the New York state government, showing his personal share to be around $4 million.
To conceal the source of funds, Hu Xiao was accused of establishing multiple accounts and holding funds in his mother-in-law’s name, disguising kickbacks as investment returns.
These funds eventually translated into tangible wealth: a $3.6 million estate in Long Island’s Manhasset, a $2 million second home in Hawaii, and a 2024 white Ferrari.
Evidence extended beyond money. Solomon submitted numerous communication records showing that after assisting the consulate, Sun Wen often actively sought recognition or immediate rewards, ranging from free ballet tickets to Nanjing salted duck prepared by Consul General Huang Ping’s personal chef.
“I want to eat salted duck.” Sun Wen’s text message in 2021 was straightforward, accompanied by a lip-licking emoji, where she referred to salted duck as her “midnight snack.”
“She shamelessly kept asking ‘Ambassador Huang’ for Nanjing salted duck. Sometimes, she wanted enough of it to host her family for Thanksgiving,” Solomon told the jury, noting that despite warnings from the FBI about the dangers of getting too close to the consulate and the implications of the Foreign Agents Registration Act, she continued in her actions.
Solomon further alleged that Sun Wen was involved in forging Governor Hochul’s signature to create invitation letters for Chinese local officials, assisting them in entering the United States. He stated that the motives behind these actions were solely “greed” and paving the way for Hu Xiao’s lobster and seafood business expansion.
The prosecution contended that Hu Xiao relied on the political connections Sun Wen established in China to expand his seafood export business. Citing the couple’s travel records, Solomon highlighted that during crucial business stages, both frequently traveled to China, with Sun Wen engaging in CCP political activities and Hu Xiao simultaneously negotiating customs clearances and market access for his business, indicating synchronized timings.
In his closing statement, Solomon summarized, “What you see is a recurring pattern of corruption. Sun Wen betrayed New York State to enrich herself and her husband’s coffers.”
Both Sun Wen and Hu Xiao have denied all charges, and the defense will present their closing arguments to the jury today (Wednesday).
Sun Wen and Hu Xiao currently face multiple felony charges, including acting as foreign agents unlawfully, conspiracy to commit money laundering, bank fraud, visa fraud, and conspiring to harm the United States. The jury will begin deliberations behind closed doors on Thursday.