Mark Kelly downplays founding Chinese
- Mark Kelly, a prominent candidate for Vice President, downplays his past connections to a company involved in a Chinese spy balloon incident.
- This revelation raises concerns over national security and foreign influence in political campaigns.
- Kelly’s minimization of these ties may impact his political standing and the Democratic Party's reputation.
Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ), a prominent contender for Vice President Kamala Harris’s running mate, is downplaying concerns regarding Chinese investment in World View, a high-altitude surveillance company he co-founded. Established in 2012 and based in Tucson, World View has received undisclosed funding from Chinese tech giant Tencent in at least two rounds of venture capital. Kelly, who has distanced himself from the company prior to his Senate tenure while retaining a financial stake, faces renewed scrutiny following recent incidents involving Chinese spy balloons in U.S. airspace. In a statement to the Washington Examiner, Kelly emphasized the company’s contributions to national defense, stating, “Myself and some other folks formed a company that has supported Department of Defense, NOAA, special operations.” He clarified that World View is not connected to the spy balloons that were shot down. The scrutiny intensified as Kelly's name emerged as a potential vice presidential candidate, prompting questions about his past associations with the company. Senator Jon Tester (D-MT), a vulnerable member of the Senate, also defended Kelly, claiming he was unaware of the senator's ties to World View. Tester humorously remarked on the situation, indicating a lack of concern among his colleagues. The extent of Tencent's investment remains unclear, with the company previously stating it holds a “very small stake” in World View without board representation. In 2014, Kelly met with Tencent’s U.S. operations head, a conversation that former World View CEO Jane Poynter described as pivotal for the company’s interest in space technology. Kelly later characterized the meeting as brief, countering accusations from Senate Republicans that he had compromised national interests for Chinese investment.