🤖 AI Summary
Overview
This episode delves into China's covert efforts to influence local elections in the United States, focusing on New York City. Through the lens of a bizarre incident involving a bag of chips and cash, the discussion expands to reveal a sophisticated system of political interference orchestrated by the Chinese government. The episode highlights the role of hometown associations, the targeting of specific politicians, and the broader implications for democracy.
Notable Quotes
- They want to squish dissent like a bug.
- Michael Forsythe, on China's efforts to suppress opposition in diaspora communities.
- Cultivate them now, and maybe later you're going to have a really important ally at a high level of government.
- Michael Forsythe, on China's long-term strategy in influencing local politicians.
- After she went to this event with the Taiwan president, everything changed. In some sense, she became a pariah.
- Michael Forsythe, on the fallout for State Senator Yi Wen Chu.
🛍️ The Bag of Chips Incident
- A reporter, Katie Honan, was handed a bag of chips containing $300 by Winnie Greco, an advisor to Mayor Eric Adams with ties to China.
- Greco later apologized, claiming it was a mistake, but the incident raised questions about cash exchanges at political events.
- Michael Forsythe revealed that red envelopes with cash were commonly distributed at events in New York's Chinese community, a practice linked to Chinese government influence.
🇨🇳 China's Influence in Local Elections
- The Chinese government has developed a sophisticated system to sway local elections in New York, aiming to suppress anti-Communist views and promote pro-China policies.
- State Senator Yi Wen Chu, the first Asian-American woman in the New York State Senate, faced backlash after attending a banquet with Taiwan's president.
- Following pressure from the Chinese consulate and hometown associations, Chu lost her re-election bid, marking a significant victory for Beijing's influence campaign.
🏠 The Role of Hometown Associations
- Hometown associations, representing Chinese communities in New York, serve as key tools for the Chinese consulate.
- While many associations focus on cultural and social activities, some pledge allegiance to Chinese government policies, including Taiwan reunification.
- Leaders of these associations face pressure to align with Beijing, often due to business interests in China or patriotic ties.
🕵️ Broader Patterns of Interference
- Beyond Yi Wen Chu, other cases of interference include efforts to undermine a former Tiananmen Square protest leader running for Congress.
- Tactics ranged from threats to business interests to attempts at personal sabotage, such as hiring a private investigator to entrap the candidate.
- The Chinese government’s strategy includes cultivating relationships with local politicians who may rise to national prominence, as seen in New York's political history.
🌍 Global Implications
- Similar interference has been documented in Australia and Canada, highlighting a global pattern of influence by Beijing.
- The Chinese government aims to control the narrative in diaspora communities, stifling dissent and promoting its authoritarian agenda.
- This long-term strategy poses a challenge to democratic values, particularly in multicultural societies.
AI-generated content may not be accurate or complete and should not be relied upon as a sole source of truth.
📋 Episode Description
A curious news story emerged in New York last week. It involved the mayor’s race, a reporter from the news outlet The City and a bag of chips.
Michael Forsythe, a reporter on the investigations team at The New York Times, explains how the episode fits into a larger story about how China has been attempting to influence American politics.
Guest: Michael Forsythe, a reporter on the investigations team at The New York Times.
Background reading:
- In the past few years, community organizations have quietly foiled the careers of politicians who opposed China’s authoritarian government.
- Times reporters witnessed supporters of the New York mayor, Eric Adams, handing out cash-filled envelopes. Sometimes, that money went to reporters from Chinese-language outlets.
For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.
Photo: Shuran Huang for The New York Times
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