Flags of the United States and China [AP Yonhap News File Photo]

The mayor of a small city in California, who was active online in promoting China, has been revealed to be an agent of the Chinese government.

According to foreign media, including Bloomberg News, on the 11th (local time), Mayor Eileen Wang, 58, of Arcadia, has agreed to admit to violating the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) in court.

Under the Foreign Agents Registration Act, U.S. citizens can work for the interests of foreign governments if they register in advance. However, for public officials, becoming an agent of a foreign government is itself prohibited.

Wang, who resigned after agreeing to a guilty plea, could face up to 10 years in prison.

The Department of Justice explained that a man who engaged in propaganda activities for the Chinese government alongside Mayor Wang, and who previously pleaded guilty, was sentenced to four years in prison.

According to the FBI, Mayor Wang is accused of posting pro-China articles on the internet news site she operated from 2020 to 2022.

It is reported that among the posts she published were denials of allegations of forced labor and genocide in China's Xinjiang Uyghur region.

Wang was elected as a city council member in Arcadia in 2022 and subsequently became mayor.

Arcadia is an affluent suburban city located 15 miles northeast of downtown Los Angeles.

The FBI stated, "Those who seek to influence the American democratic system on behalf of foreign governments will be identified and brought to justice."