How Beijing-Linked Groups Donated to N.Y. Politicians
Newsweek Europe|October 27, 2023
A Newsweek investigation found people with ties to China's influence network gave big to local candidates
DIDI KIRSTEN TATLOW and JOHN FENG
How Beijing-Linked Groups Donated to N.Y. Politicians

REP. GRACE MENG OF NEW YORK ONCE DECLARED "President An Quanzhong Day" in her congressional district to honor a China-born businessman's work for his Chinese hometown association in New York. At the time, her campaign took thousands of dollars in donations from An.

Today An and his daughter-a green-card holder and a U.S. citizen, respectively, at the time of their arrests are among seven people facing charges of acting as foreign agents for allegedly colluding with Chinese officials to try to force a U.S. resident back to China against his will.

Another prolific donor to New York politicians was U.S. citizen Lu Jianwang, one of two men arrested for allegedly hosting a clandestine Chinese police station in Manhattan. Meng, New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York Governor Kathy Hochul all got thousands of dollars in donations from Lu and his brother.

A months-long Newsweek investigation uncovered donations to leading New York politicians by dozens of U.S.-based community groups and their leaders with close ties to the United Front Work Department or to a wider "united front system" operated globally by the Chinese Communist Party. The department reports directly to the Central Committee of the CCP. The donations stretch back decades; recipients include former New York Senator and presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. Meng's campaigns received over $270,000 from such groups and their leaders since 2006, Newsweek's review shows.

The groups offer community services and business opportunities for members. But critics say the CCP uses the sprawling system to interfere in host countries by influencing local politicians, acting as a network to carry out "transnational repression" of the party's opponents and serving as a conduit for espionage by China's security services.

None of the associations mentioned in this report responded to Newsweek's requests for comment.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة October 27, 2023 من Newsweek Europe.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة October 27, 2023 من Newsweek Europe.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

المزيد من القصص من NEWSWEEK EUROPE مشاهدة الكل
Ray Romano
Newsweek Europe

Ray Romano

THE MAJOR THING ABOUT NETFLIX'S NO GOOD DEED THAT APPEALED TO Ray Romano was that it was unlike anything he'd done before.

time-read
2 mins  |
December 27, 2024
Has J.K. Rowling Won the Culture War?
Newsweek Europe

Has J.K. Rowling Won the Culture War?

After years of backlash over trans issues, the Harry Potter author has received major business backing

time-read
7 mins  |
December 27, 2024
'This Murder Is a Symbol of the Times'
Newsweek Europe

'This Murder Is a Symbol of the Times'

Conservatives and liberals agree on the state of the health care industry following the killing of Brian Thompson

time-read
4 mins  |
December 27, 2024
The Defense Industry's Fight With ESG
Newsweek Europe

The Defense Industry's Fight With ESG

EUROPEAN DEFENSE COMPANIES, ESPECIALLY smaller businesses, are being blocked from investment they sorely need by sustainability rules, a senior NATO official and several industry figures have said.

time-read
9 mins  |
December 27, 2024
Nothin' Lasts Forever
Newsweek Europe

Nothin' Lasts Forever

Taylor Swift's Eras Tour' ends its record-breaking run..

time-read
3 mins  |
December 27, 2024
SPY IN THE SKY
Newsweek Europe

SPY IN THE SKY

CHINA FACES ACCUSATIONS of ESPIONAGE and WEAPONIZING OUTER SPACE as it BUILDS a NEW OBSERVATORY in CHILE critics say WILL BE USED for MILITARY PURPOSES

time-read
10+ mins  |
December 27, 2024
Margo Martindale
Newsweek Europe

Margo Martindale

\"WHO KNEW THAT A BARREL OF MAPLE SYRUP IS WORTH MORE THAN A barrel of oil?\"

time-read
2 mins  |
December 20, 2024
Malala Yousafzai
Newsweek Europe

Malala Yousafzai

\"AFGHANISTAN IS THE ONLY COUNTRY IN THE world where girls are banned from access to education and women are limited from work.\"

time-read
1 min  |
December 20, 2024
In the Eyes of the Law
Newsweek Europe

In the Eyes of the Law

Jude Law is unrecognizable as an FBI agent on the trail of aneo-Naziterrorist group in real-crime drama The Order

time-read
4 mins  |
December 20, 2024
AMERICA'S Most Responsible Companies 2025
Newsweek Europe

AMERICA'S Most Responsible Companies 2025

IN THE FACE OF ISSUES LIKE CLIMATE CHANGE and wage inequality, consumers care about the impact of the businesses they interact with and companies are responding.

time-read
2 mins  |
December 20, 2024