China’s New York envoy ‘performing his duties as usual’ after Chinese agent case, Beijing’s consulate says

New York/Hong Kong CNN —

China’s consulate in New York has denied reports that its top diplomat was removed in the aftermath of an alleged Chinese agent bust, saying the consul general is “performing his duties as usual.”

“Consul General Huang Ping is performing his duties as usual. We hope the media will refrain from sensationalizing false information,” a spokesperson for the Chinese Consulate General in New York told CNN in a statement Wednesday.

The statement appears to contradict remarks made earlier by New York Gov. Kathy Hochul – whose former aide was charged with acting as an agent for the Chinese government – and the State Department, which claimed the Chinese envoy had left his position.

Hours later, the consulate published a press release on its website with photos showing Huang busy at work on Tuesday. In the photos, Huang was seen visiting the Philadelphia home of a former American pilot who helped China to fight Japan during World War II.

At a fundraising event on Thursday evening, Huang, who has been the consul general since December 2018, indicated that he would be leaving his position soon, citing the length of his term and the retirement age for Chinese government officials.

“I’ve been here six years already. I surpassed my term, which used to be three to four years. I’ve surpassed my (retirement) age. In China, government officials retire at 60,” the 61-year-old told the audience at the China Institute Blue Cloud Gala.

“I think it’s time for me to go home and start a new life,” Huang said.

An official at the Chinese embassy in Washington confirmed to CNN that Huang’s term is coming to an end, but did not offer a specific date for his departure. The official said plans for Huang’s departure had