Threats and Cash: How China Meddles in U.S. Local Elections

Key takeaways

A strange incident in a New York mayoral campaign reveals significant underlying issues of foreign influence in local politics.
Chinese governmental interference in the U.S. is systematic, targeting local elections to suppress dissent against its policies.
Hometown associations within the Chinese American community have become channels for the Chinese consulate's influence.
The case of Yuen Shu exemplifies how attending culturally significant events can have political ramifications in the context of U.S.-China relations.
The Chinese government's long-term strategy aims to cultivate relationships with local politicians to secure influence at higher levels of American governance.

Summary

The Curious Incident of Cash in Chips

The episode begins with a bizarre incident involving a New York mayoral campaign, where a reporter named Katie Honen is handed a bag of potato chips containing $300 in cash by Winnie Greco, an aide to Mayor Eric Adams. Despite Honen’s refusal, the story sets the stage for a discussion on the broader implications of Chinese influence in American politics.

Chinese Interference in Local Politics

Mike Forsyth explains how this incident reflects a larger trend of Chinese governmental interference in local elections, particularly in New York City. The episode transitions to discuss organized efforts by the Chinese government to influence American political processes, thereby suppressing dissent and promoting policies favorable to them.

The Case of Yuen Shu

The conversation pivots to Yuen Shu, the first Asian American woman in the New York State Senate, who faced backlash from her constituents after attending an event hosted by Taiwan's president. This leads to discussions about the Chinese consulate's influence on local politics and the chilling effect it has on elected officials.

Hometown Associations as Tools of Influence

Forsyth describes the role of hometown associations in the Chinese diaspora community, which are being used as conduits for Chinese government influence. Many of these associations pledge allegiance to Chinese policies while also claiming to represent the interests of Chinese Americans in New York.

The Broader Implications

The episode concludes with reflections on how these local political interventions by the Chinese government are part of a larger strategy to cultivate favorable relationships with emerging leaders in American politics, underscoring the Chinese government’s long-term goals.

Show notes

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