Minnesota Governor Tim Walz’s Past Connections to China Spark Controversy

As Election Day draws closer, scrutiny of Democratic vice-presidential nominee and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has intensified, especially regarding his longstanding ties with Chinese officials and institutions. A newly uncovered letter highlights Walz’s praise for Minnesota’s relationship with China, raising questions about his alignment with Chinese interests at a time when U.S.-China relations are fraught with tension.

The letter, recently reported by Fox News Digital, was addressed to the Minnesota International Chinese School in 2021, marking the school’s 10th anniversary of celebrating Chinese New Year. Walz’s letter commended the ties between Minnesota and China, citing a shared interest in educational and cultural exchanges. “Minnesota has a longstanding relationship with the people of China,” Walz wrote, referencing the state’s history of hosting senior Chinese leaders and fostering trade, education, and investment opportunities with the country.

Adding to the intrigue, Walz’s letter coincided with a recorded greeting from Zhao Jian, the Chinese Consul General in Chicago, which was shared on the school’s YouTube channel. Zhao’s recent meeting with Walz earlier this year also caught the attention of the House Oversight Committee. According to committee members, Zhao and Walz discussed “China-U.S. relations and sub-national cooperation,” a move that sparked interest in the potential influence of China on Walz’s political decisions.

On March 20, Consul General Zhao Jian met with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz at the Minnesota State Capitol and they exchanged views on China-U.S. relations and sub-national cooperation. pic.twitter.com/ONDue0Zexe

— ChinaConsulateChicago (@ChinaConsulate) April 2, 2024

This interest is further underscored by a 2022 report from the Biden administration’s Director of National Intelligence (DNI), which noted that Chinese consulates in the U.S. often play a role in foreign influence operations linked to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Zhao Jian’s meeting with Walz falls into this context, fueling concerns among U.S. lawmakers that Chinese officials may be attempting to sway political figures at the state and local levels as part of a larger strategy of influence.

Walz’s connections to China date back to his early career. In 1989, he taught English and American history in Guangdong through a teaching program, an experience he’s spoken positively about throughout his political career. While initial reports suggested that he had made numerous trips to China, Walz’s campaign clarified that he has visited the country around 15 times, including on his 1994 honeymoon. His comments on China have generally been balanced; in past interviews, Walz has stated, “I don’t fall into the category that China necessarily needs to be an adversarial relationship,” though he has also supported a strong U.S. stance on issues like the South China Sea.

In addition to these recent revelations, remarks made by Walz in the early 1990s have resurfaced, casting further light on his views toward the Chinese government. During a 1991 lesson, Walz reportedly described the Chinese Communist system as one in which “everyone is the same, and everyone shares.” He went on to say that the system provided for workers’ basic needs, such as housing and food. Walz has often reflected on his time in China with positivity, saying he was “treated exceptionally well” and even received “more gifts than I could bring home.”

Further complicating matters, a report from Fox News Digital revealed that an internal Department of Homeland Security (DHS) message recently flagged Walz’s selection as a vice-presidential nominee as a point of concern. The message warned that Walz could be a potential target for influence by the People’s Republic of China (PRC). “Walt’s [sic] got the VP,” read the message, which reportedly came from an anonymous DHS official. The sender, whose identity remains redacted, noted that the nomination could align with the PRC’s interest in increasing its influence over U.S. policymakers. House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer cited this message in a recent letter to DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, highlighting it as part of “concerns about the CCP’s influence operations as they related to Governor Walz.”

The nature of Walz’s ties to China also includes connections to Minnesota-based institutions with links to the Chinese military. In 2014, Walz welcomed a delegation from China to a Minnesota medical research institute that had previously collaborated with organizations tied to the Chinese military. Among the delegates was Wang Yanling, the vice governor of Henan Province and a senior Communist Party official. Yanling and other CCP-affiliated officials have reportedly served on the board of the Henan Cancer Institute, raising questions about the possible influence of such individuals on U.S.-based institutions.

With the Harris-Walz ticket entering the final days of the campaign, these revelations have sparked questions about Walz’s past connections to China and their potential implications. Intelligence officials and lawmakers have expressed concern that these long-standing ties could open up avenues for influence by CCP-aligned individuals or organizations. As the election approaches, Republicans and intelligence experts have voiced apprehensions about the potential risks associated with such connections, particularly given the increasing sophistication of Chinese influence operations targeting U.S. leaders.

As questions mount over Walz’s past interactions with Chinese officials and his views on U.S.-China relations, the scrutiny adds an unexpected twist to his vice-presidential campaign. The revelations about his past connections to China could complicate his appeal to voters, particularly among those wary of foreign influence on U.S. policymakers. Lawmakers such as Comer are pressing for more transparency from DHS and other federal agencies regarding the nature and extent of CCP influence in the U.S., with a particular focus on state-level officials like Walz who might be vulnerable to such influence.

These recent discoveries bring a fresh layer of complexity to the Harris-Walz ticket, raising broader questions about foreign policy and national security. As Election Day looms, the stakes in the vice-presidential race are amplified, with Walz’s ties to China casting a spotlight on the need for vigilance and accountability in public office.