Top Points:
Governor Tim Walz’s Connections to the CCP Pose a National Security Risk: Gordon Chang criticized Minnesota Governor Tim Walz’s ongoing engagement with Chinese Communist Party (CCP) officials, asserting that these interactions open the door to CCP influence operations within the United States.
The CCP Uses Relationships with U.S. Leaders to Advance Strategic Goals: Chang argued that Beijing seeks connections with American political figures to gain leverage, gather intelligence, and shape policy favorable to China, with state leaders like Walz being particularly vulnerable to such tactics.
Call for Federal Oversight on Local Leader Engagements with Foreign Governments: Chang emphasized the need for federal intervention and scrutiny over state leaders’ relationships with foreign powers like China to prevent CCP influence from compromising U.S. security interests at local and state levels.
Full Report:
In a recent appearance on Newsmax, China analyst Gordon Chang sounded the alarm over Minnesota Governor Tim Walz’s sustained interactions with Chinese Communist Party (CCP) officials, calling these connections a direct national security threat to the United States. Chang, a noted expert on China and author of The Coming Collapse of China, raised concerns about Walz’s recent meetings with Chinese government officials and business leaders, warning that these connections could open the door to potential CCP influence operations within the United States.
Chang explained that the CCP has historically sought out relationships with influential American leaders to advance their strategic goals in the U.S. "Tim Walz’s ongoing engagement with Chinese officials isn't just problematic—it's dangerous," Chang said. “The CCP doesn’t make these outreach efforts because they’re interested in genuine business partnerships; they do it to gain leverage, to gather intelligence, and to exert influence over our political system.”
During his tenure, Governor Walz has promoted the idea of Minnesota as a business partner with China, even as concerns over the CCP’s tactics to undermine U.S. interests have risen across both political aisles. Chang warned that engaging with the CCP in any capacity poses a threat, as Beijing has historically used business agreements and exchanges as pretexts for political espionage and influence operations. Walz’s actions, Chang argued, not only undermine U.S. national security but also signal to the Chinese regime that they can continue penetrating American society at various levels.
Chang also raised the alarm on the CCP’s exploitation of American political figures, whom they see as pathways to manipulating U.S. policy to align with Chinese objectives. “Beijing’s influence operations depend on these connections,” he said, emphasizing that the CCP seeks to infiltrate American state governments to gather intelligence and shape policy in ways that benefit China.
Chang’s critique of Walz comes at a time when the United States is increasingly alert to China’s growing global ambitions. From alleged espionage cases involving Chinese operatives within American universities to efforts to influence U.S. legislators, the CCP has been relentless in its goal to weaken American resolve on key issues.
Chang called on national lawmakers to address the involvement of local and state leaders with foreign governments like China, suggesting that more robust federal oversight is needed to prevent such relationships from growing unchecked. He also suggested that the Biden administration take a closer look at the relationships state leaders are building with China, as these partnerships can lead to compromised information and endanger U.S. security.
Walz’s interactions with Chinese officials, Chang emphasized, reflect a broader need for the U.S. to address the potential risks posed by allowing the CCP to build influence at the state level. As Beijing continues its aggressive push for influence around the globe, Chang’s warnings highlight the importance of safeguarding national security from threats both foreign and domestic.
References:
Chang, Gordon. “Governor Tim Walz and the CCP: A National Security Threat.” Newsmax.
“The Coming Collapse of China” by Gordon Chang.
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