A trial began for Lu Jianwang, a naturalized U.S. citizen accused of operating a secret Chinese police outpost in Manhattan's Chinatown on behalf of the Chinese government. Prosecutors allege the facility was used to silence, harass and intimidate pro-democracy dissidents living in the United States.

The outpost was located in a plain glass-clad building in the Chinatown neighborhood and featured a banner inside identifying it as associated with "Fuzhou Police," according to court documents. Federal prosecutors say Lu, a Bronx resident who has been a U.S. citizen for decades, was working for the Chinese government while living in New York City.

Lu's defense attorney has characterized the facility differently, describing it as a place where people gathered to play ping-pong rather than a spy operation. The defense is expected to challenge the prosecution's characterization of the site's activities and purpose.

A co-defendant in the case has already pleaded guilty to related charges, though details about their role and cooperation with authorities were not immediately disclosed. The case is part of broader U.S. government efforts to combat what officials describe as Chinese government operations targeting dissidents and activists on American soil.

The trial comes amid heightened tensions between the United States and China over national security concerns, including allegations of espionage and transnational repression by Chinese authorities targeting individuals in the U.S. who are critical of the Chinese government.