kamala harris ally's decade-long friendship with ccp exec
- James Chau, who became president of the China-United States Exchange Foundation in 2023, is a longtime friend of Lateefah Simon, who is running for Congress.
- CUSEF, linked with CCP leaders, has engaged with Black communities and leaders in the U.S.
- The relationships raise concerns over foreign influence in domestic politics, particularly through Black political channels.
In early 2022, James Chau, who became president of the China-United States Exchange Foundation (CUSEF) a year later, expressed support for Lateefah Simon, a longtime friend and ally of Vice President Kamala Harris, who is campaigning for Congress in California. Simon and Chau's friendship began in 2008 while they collaborated on HIV efforts in San Francisco. CUSEF, linked to influential Chinese figures with ties to the Communist Party of China (CCP), has been involved in fostering relationships with the Black community in the U.S., notably through partnerships with Black leaders and organizations. In recent years, Simon has been a prominent supporter of Harris, speaking at the Democratic National Convention in 2024 and reflecting on their history and collaboration. These connections raise questions regarding the influence of foreign entities on domestic politics, particularly concerning the CCP and its strategies to engage with the African American community. CUSEF has funded initiatives aimed at understanding and gaining influence among Black Americans and has connections with various entities tied to the CCP, emphasizing the importance of scrutinizing these relationships as political figures engage with such organizations.