While All Eyes Focus on Russia, the CCP Has Been Quietly Meddling in U.S. Politics for Years

Since 2016, allegations of Russian meddling in U.S. elections have dominated our political discourse and media coverage. Yet, this focus has diverted attention away from another significant threat: the extensive political influence operations by the Chinese Communist Party. A new bombshell report reveals that the CCP has been systematically undermining elections in New York City for years. If this influence is left unaddressed, it could significantly undermine the democratic process and the sovereignty of the United States.

The New York Times has uncovered that the Chinese Consulate in Manhattan has been working hand-in-hand with pro-Beijing Chinese “hometown associations” to implement the CCP’s overseas influence campaigns.

These associations, formed by individuals from the same regions in China, have existed for over a century. Initially established to support early immigrants facing discrimination, they provide vital community services, such as translation assistance and funeral arrangements for those without local family.

In recent years, some of the “hometown associations” have played troubling roles in the CCP’s overseas political influence campaigns. The NYT report identifies at least 53 of these organizations that have publicly aligned themselves with Beijing, promoted the CCP’s political agenda, and held meetings with party officials in China.

Alarmingly, 19 out of these 53 pro-Beijing associations are registered as charitable organizations, which are legally prohibited from endorsing political candidates under federal tax laws. Yet, these organizations have consistently and openly supported political candidates, blatantly disregarding their tax-exempt status.

The report also highlights frequent interactions between the Chinese Consulate in Manhattan and these pro-Beijing associations. Chinese diplomats not only attend, but are actively involved in these associations’ political events, including fundraising and campaign rallies, undermining established diplomatic norms.

Even more concerning, pro-Beijing groups have been found to leverage their significant fundraising capabilities and large membership to exert political pressure on politicians or candidates who do not align with Beijing’s interests.

For example, these groups successfully unseated State Sen. Iwen Chu from her position after she attended a reception hosted by Taiwan’s president in New York City. Since the CCP views Taiwan as part of China, one of its main objectives in overseas influence operations is to prevent individuals who sympathize with Taiwan from holding political office.

What the New York Times uncovered is just the tip of the iceberg. There are indications that even the current New York mayoral race may be influenced by Chinese operations.

Mayor Eric Adams’ longtime aide, Winnie Greco, reportedly discouraged him from meeting with Taiwanese officials while collaborating closely with individuals linked to the Chinese government, including consulting for a state-run news outlet that spreads CCP propaganda. Despite resigning last year amid investigations, she remains involved in Adams’ reelection campaign, most recently embroiled in a scandal for allegedly trying to bribe a reporter with cash hidden in a potato chip bag.

The mayoral race’s front-runner, socialist Zohran Mamdani, is similarly entangled with CCP influence. The New York Post reveals that “Jews for Zohran,” a leftist group designed to deflect attention from Mamdani’s past antisemitic remarks, is backed by Shanti Singham, who heads a media department at East China Normal University in Shanghai and has actively promoted China’s Confucius Institutes in Africa. Not only that, but she is also the niece of Neville Singham, a Marxist billionaire who has financed several pro-China news outlets and participated in CCP workshops aimed at expanding the party’s global reach.

The CCP strategically aims to influence local elections to accomplish several key objectives. By intervening at this level, the party seeks to create divisions within the United States and manipulate public opinion. Local elections typically attract less scrutiny compared to national contests, allowing the CCP to mask its involvement more effectively.

Importantly, the CCP is playing the long game. By forging connections and exerting influence over American politicians early in their careers, the CCP intends to shape future U.S. policies concerning China when some of these politicians hold higher offices.

The CCP has implemented similar tactics across the United States. A notable case is suspected Chinese spy Fang Fang, who cultivated romantic relationships with emerging politicians like California Rep. Eric Swalwell, a member of the House Intelligence Committee. In 2020, Fang fled to China just as her activities were being exposed.

In some instances, the CCP seeks to insert unelected officials to execute its influence operations. In September last year, Linda Sun, an aide to New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, was arrested on eight charges for acting as an unregistered agent for the CCP. She reportedly engaged with pro-Beijing groups, such as the Henan Association of Eastern America, under the guidance of Chinese officials, including Huang Ping, China’s consul general in New York. After Sun’s arrest, Huang left his position, which Beijing claimed was a “normal rotation.” This incident highlights the CCP’s deeper infiltration into various levels of the U.S. government than previously thought.

Unfortunately, most of the media and the Democratic Party have focused on alleged Russian meddling in the U.S. election since 2016, which has caused the influence operations of the CCP in the U.S. to be overlooked and underreported. The previous Biden administration also failed to take adequate measures to counter China’s influence.

The strategic rivalry between the U.S. and China encompasses more than just technology and military matters; it extends to the critical realm of shaping public opinion. If the U.S. falters in this narrative battle, it risks undermining its ability to enact effective policies both domestically and internationally. Therefore, it is imperative for the U.S. government to craft a robust strategy that can effectively combat the Chinese Communist Party’s influence operations in America before it is too late.

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