Chinese-backed Michigan EV plant promotes communist propaganda.

A⁢ China-Based Company’s⁢ Allegiance to the CCP

A‍ China-based company behind the U.S. taxpayer-funded⁣ electric vehicle (EV) battery plant⁢ in Michigan has published reports⁢ showing some employees raising ‌their⁣ fists ⁣pledging loyalty to⁣ the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) while others tour a museum ‌wearing what looks ‌like ‍Red Army uniforms.

Gotion High-Tech, ⁤which is the China-based parent company of Gotion Inc. that ⁣is developing an EV battery plant near Big Rapids, recently published reports and video footage showing its staffers participating in pro-communist ⁢activities at an apparent work retreat.

Gotion Inc. secured a $1 billion taxpayer support for its ‍factory near⁤ Big Rapids, at ‌an overall cost of $2.4 billion, according to reports. Concerns ​about the deal have been‍ raised by Michigan residents, ⁢Republicans, and environmental groups.

‘Fight For⁣ Communism’

Records first reported by ⁣the ⁣Daily Caller National Foundation (DCNF) show that, during the summer of‍ 2021, employees of Gotion High-Tech went on field trips ⁢to communist ‍revolutionary memorials in China, ⁤donning Red Army outfits and pledging to “fight for communism ⁢to⁢ the end of my life.”

“I volunteer to join ‍the CCP, uphold the Party’s ‍platform, observe the⁤ provisions of the Party’s by-laws,⁤ carry ‌out a member’s ⁤duties, carry out the Party’s decisions, strictly‌ observe the Party’s ​discipline, be loyal to the‌ Party, work hard, to fight for communism as long ⁢as ⁤I ⁢live, be ready at all ⁢times to sacrifice everything for the Party and ⁢people and never ‍betray the Party,” the employees chanted during a trip to China’s Revolutionary Memorial Hall in July 2021, according to footage translated by the Daily​ Caller National Foundation (DCNF).

A‌ second⁢ trip took⁢ place a ‌month later when the company took ‍staff to‍ Dabie Mountain in​ Anhui province, where⁣ they paid homage to the CCP’s Long March, per the report. Employees during the second trip also wore Red Army⁤ uniforms ⁢and sang pro-communist songs.

While⁢ Gotion High-Tech did ⁤not ‌respond to a request for comment from The Epoch ⁣Times, ​a⁣ company spokesperson‍ from Gotion Inc. told ⁢Fox ⁤News that its parent company didn’t fund the excursions.

“Gotion High-Tech employees in ⁢China⁤ are‍ involved with many​ clubs, including biking⁤ and ⁢hiking clubs, and one politically ⁢affiliated‍ club,” the official told the‍ outlet. “None of these‌ clubs ​are financed by⁣ Gotion High-Tech, and some employees individually paid ⁤for field trips to​ historical sites in China out of their own pockets.”

“Gotion Inc. is headquartered in Fremont, California, ⁣and is not supervised,⁣ directed, controlled or financed by any foreign government or foreign ⁢political party,” the spokesperson continued.⁤ “Gotion Inc. does observe all American holidays and wishes everyone a wonderful‍ Labor Day‌ holiday this ​weekend.”

Gotion’s North American Manufacturing Vice President Chuck Thelen has in the past dismissed⁢ concerns about its parent company’s links to ​the CCP, saying that Gotion Inc. is “not Chinese-owned.”

“The rumors that you’ve heard ‍about us bringing communism to North America ‍are just flat-out ⁢fear-mongering and really have nothing based in reality,” he ‌said earlier this month, according ⁣to Politico.

All companies in China, including ⁢foreign⁢ companies, are required by law to have a CCP office set up inside the company’s structure, which⁣ supervises the company’s operations.

Gotion ​Inc. Registers as Foreign Entity

Gotion Inc. ⁣ recently registered under the Foreign Agents Registration Act, according to⁢ the registration document it submitted to the U.S.​ Department of Justice.

The document states that Gotion Inc., which is ​based in Fremont, California, is “wholly ⁢owned and controlled” by Gotion ⁣High-tech Co. Ltd., which is based near Hefei, a ​city in eastern China.

At the same time, the ‍document states that Gotion⁣ Inc. is not “supervised,” “directed,” or ⁣“financed” ‍by “a foreign government, foreign political ‌party, or other foreign principal.”

Gotion Inc. is, however, “completely ⁤controlled” ‌by China-based‌ Gotion ⁤High-Tech.

The document also⁣ asks ‍if the “foreign principal,” meaning Gotion Inc., ​will engage in “political activities,” with Gotion’s answer to ⁣this being “Yes.”

Efthymis⁣ Oraiopoulos contributed to this ⁢report.