American journalist sentenced to two years for espionage activities for China

Thomas Pauken II, a 50-year-old American journalist, was sentenced on Tuesday to two years in prison for acting as an unregistered agent of China in the United States. Arrested by the FBI in February, Pauken pleaded guilty in June, admitting that he received approximately $100,000 over seven years to write reports on the relations between Washington and Beijing.

According to prosecutor Eli Ross, Pauken had direct contacts with Chinese officials, including President Xi Jinping, and attempted to facilitate meetings between them and American experts. Although he did not transmit classified information, Pauken acknowledged that he shared secrets with Chinese authorities, believing that his actions could contribute to improving bilateral relations.

Judge Leonie Brinkema emphasized the seriousness of the offense, while the identity of a Trump administration official involved in the case remains unknown. Pauken's parents had significant ties to the Republican politics in Texas.