A Fox News investigation has uncovered a deep connection between a top executive of a Chinese Communist Party (CCP) front group and a close friend and mentee of Vice President Kamala Harris, sparking concern about potential influence and access to sensitive information. This revelation comes as Harris is seeking re-election to the US Senate in California.
The investigation reveals that James Chau, the president of the China-United States Exchange Foundation (CUSEF), has been friends with Lateefah Simon, a longtime friend and mentee of Vice President Harris, for over a decade. Simon, currently running for Congress in California, served as a key speaker at the 2024 Democratic National Convention (DNC) on behalf of Harris.
Social media exchanges between Chau and Simon, including their interactions on Twitter, reveal a close and affectionate relationship. These exchanges took place while Chau was actively working for CUSEF, an organization deeply intertwined with the CCP, as evidenced by its annual report.
The report highlights CUSEF’s close ties with the CCP, including its partnerships with the People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, labeled by the Biden administration as a group promoting the CCP’s global agenda, and the China Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Additionally, CUSEF’s governing board and donor list include individuals with established CCP connections, raising further questions about the organization’s true purpose and influence.
This investigation further highlights the concerning role of CUSEF in seeking to influence American institutions and individuals. In 2017, a Black public relations consultant, Julia Wilson, revealed how she was paid over $1 million by CUSEF to provide insights about Black Americans to the Chinese government. This information was intended to gain influence with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Black leaders.
While both Simon and Harris’s campaigns, along with CUSEF, have not responded to Fox News Digital’s requests for comment, the investigation raises serious questions about the potential for influence and access to sensitive information through these close connections.
This revelation adds to the growing concern about the CCP’s influence in the United States. The investigation reveals a web of connections between a CCP front group and key figures within the Democratic Party, raising questions about the potential for undue influence and a threat to national security. The investigation has ignited calls for further scrutiny and transparency regarding the activities of CUSEF and its connections to the CCP.
