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The former mayor who acted as an illegal Chinese agent was named “Woman of the Year” by Democrat congresswoman Judy Chu.

Chu, who gave Wang the award in 2024, said she admired Wang’s “strong voice, leadership, and dedication to serving her community.”

Wang was formerly the mayor of Arcadia, she resigned from her position this week after admitting to acting as an illegal Chinese agent, pushing out propaganda for the country.

In putting together her list in 2024, Chu said “every single honoree has been selected through an exhaustive process that begins with a nomination from their neighbors, friends, or family — the people in their communities who know them best and see their service up close.” 


  Congresswoman Judy Chu, right, honored Chinese agent Eileen Wang with a Woman of the Year award. Facebook/JudyChu Congresswoman Judy Chu, right, honored Chinese agent Eileen Wang with a Woman of the Year award. Facebook/JudyChu

“With a focus on advocating for heightened public safety standards, ensuring financial responsibility and transparency in the City budget, and enhancing the overall quality of life for all residents, Hon. Wang is dedicated to making Arcadia an even better place to live,” Chu raved about Wang.

In 2024, Wang was one of 10 honorees — posing alongside Chu as she accepted her certificate. 

Despite award recipients having to go through an “exhaustive process,” Wang’s true identity working as an illegal foreign agent of China was seemingly able to slip through the cracks. 

Chu, who is seeking reelection in California’s 28th District, has since scrubbed Wang from her endorsement page despite leaving other endorsements on the page.


  In 2024, Wang was one of 10 honorees — posing alongside Chu as she accepted her certificate.  Facebook/JudyChu In 2024, Wang was one of 10 honorees — posing alongside Chu as she accepted her certificate.  Facebook/JudyChu

  Wang was elected to the city council in Arcadia — a city in the San Gabriel Valley within LA County — in November 2022. via REUTERS Wang was elected to the city council in Arcadia — a city in the San Gabriel Valley within LA County — in November 2022. via REUTERS

  Then-Mayor Wang and Senator Alex Padilla smiling for a selfie. Facebook/EieenWang Then-Mayor Wang and Senator Alex Padilla smiling for a selfie. Facebook/EieenWang

Chu was the first Chinese American woman elected to Congress, winning her seat in a July 2009 special election.

In 2023, Chu became the center of controversy when U.S. Representative Lance Gooden (R-TX) questioned Chu’s “loyalty or competence” after she defended Dominic Ng. Ng, who Gooden accused of having ties to the Chinese Communist Party, was appointed by the Biden Administration to an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation council.

Gooden’s remarks were later slammed by both Democrats and Republicans as racist and dangerous.

The California Post reached out to Chu’s office for comment about the honor she gave to Wang, but did not hear back.

Wang often mixed with high-profile California politicians and government officials, including California’s Attorney General Rob Bonta. Wang posed with Bonta at an event a few years ago and posted it on her social media page. She has since made her social media pages private.

Calls to Bonta’s office for comment about the photo were not returned.

Wang also posed in a photo with Senator Alex Padilla.

On Monday, Wang agreed with prosecutors that she worked with the People’s Republic of China to boost propaganda with a fake news website on US soil between 2020 and 2022. She resigned from her position as Mayor of Arcadia as part of her deal with prosecutors.

She was elected to the city council in Arcadia — a city in the San Gabriel Valley within LA County — in November 2022.

Wang, 58, worked with her then-fiancé Yaoning “Mike” Sun on a website called “U.S. News Center,” which claimed to be a news source for Chinese Americans, according to court documents.

But in reality, the pair were carrying out Beijing’s orders through the site.

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