Karen Bass Met With a Chinese Influence Group After Intelligence Officials Warned It Was Targeting Local Politicians

American intelligence officials last month warned that the Chinese Communist Party is controlling its influence operations. “more pliable” Local officials. This could explain why Karen Bass, the Democratic mayor in Los Angeles, met the head of Beijing’s most influential outfit.

Lin Songtian was the president of China People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries. He met with Bass and Fiona Ma, California treasurer, during a 10-day trip to the US last month. According to Chinese state media. Lin claimed that he had a good relationship with Bass. “extensive, candid, and friendly exchanges” More information about “stabilization and improvement of Sino-U.S. relations.”

The meeting came just weeks after The Office of the Director of National Intelligence issued a report warning that China has adjusted its influence activities, aiming them at local and state officials because of growing bipartisan skepticism of China in Washington. “Beijing has adjusted by redoubling its efforts to build influence at the state and local level to shift U.S. policy in China’s favor because of Beijing’s belief that local officials are more pliable than their federal counterparts,” the intelligence report said. The office had issued A similar warning was issued in July 2022.

Bass ignored American intelligence officials who warned Beijing that the Chinese People’s Association was being used by Beijing, and he acted in defiance of Lin’s invitation to meet with him. “malignly influence state and local leaders” To advance China’s interests “global agenda.” The United States government ended a decade-old partnership with the United States to promote the 2020 Olympics. “subnational cooperation” China’s participation at the event by the Chinese People’s Association.

“Whether they know it or not, the Los Angeles officials who met with Lin’s delegation were the targets of a CCP influence campaign,” Michael Sobolik, a fellow at the American Foreign Policy Council’s Indo-Pacific Studies program, said so.

According to Sobolik, Lin’s agenda—which included discussions of China’s Belt and Road Initiative—bears all the hallmarks of a Beijing-backed influence operation.

“Whenever Americans meet with CPAFFC-affiliated groups or other people with CCP ties, they risk advancing the Belt and Road Initiative and Beijing’s interests,” Sobolik said the Washington Free Beacon.

China’s influence operations have made California Democrats a frequent target of Beijing’s influence operations. This includes one that could have targeted Bass and Ma. In 2009, California’s assembly elected members. They were locked A vote was taken on a resolution to recognize Tibet, and the Dalai Lama. To block the measure, Chinese diplomats had aggressively lobbied in Sacramento.

In recent years, a Chinese spy established a close relationship with Rep. Eric Swalwell, D., Calif., while he was serving as a councilman and then as a congressman. Fang Fang, a spy from China, was able to plant a mole in Swalwell’s congressional office. He also had sexual relationships at least with two mayors of the midwest. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D. Calif.) employed for years a Chinese intelligence officer at her district office.

The Chinese People’s Association previously attacked the Los Angeles mayor’s house. Nina Hachigian is the State Department’s Subnational Diplomacy Program Leader. met At least twice to the head of Chinese People’s Association, when she was deputy mayor of Los Angeles. To discuss cooperation “in areas such as sister city, environmental protection and youth.” According to the director of national intelligence, the Chinese government is a threat to national security. “may exploit” It has made pacts with its sister cities to help it advance its political agenda. Lin revealed that he spoke to Lin about sister city projects at his recent meetings.

The Chinese People’s Association Sponsored Robert Hertzberg, a California lawmaker, made overseas trips while he was the state senate majority lead. The State Legislative Leaders Foundation co-sponsored the trips, which are events organized for state legislators. Hunter Biden’s first business trip was made to China by the State Legislative Leaders Foundation in 2009.

Biden, his business associates, and the State Legislative Leaders Foundation lobby the State Department to publicly endorse a partnership between China People’s Association (China) and the State Legislative Leaders Foundation. This was part of an elaborate plan for generating business in China. Free Beacon reported. Biden offered to provide “whatever you need” The endeavor was ultimately successful thanks to the support of many. The Biden consortium met with Evan Ryan (then Secretary of State), to discuss the idea. Ryan now serves as President Joe Biden’s Cabinet Secretary. Ryan is married to Tony Blinken (Secretary of State).

Lin claims that he was invited by Darren Walker, the president of Ford Foundation, to New York. In 2021, the Ford Foundation donated $9.3 Million to Chinese organizations. This included three universities that are designated by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute as being among its top three. “high risk” Or “very high risk” Their popularity is due to “high level[s] of defense research,” The Free Beacon reported.

Lin met with representatives of other pro-China groups, such as the Asia Society, National Committee on U.S.-China Relations and the US Heartland China Association. This pro-China trade group recently included Mitch Landrieu, Biden’s infrastructure czar. on its board.

Bass’s office didn’t respond to my request for comment.