Republican lawmakers have launched an investigation into Minnesota Governor Tim Walz's connections to China, a move that coincides with his recent selection as Vice President Kamala Harris's running mate. House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R., Ky.) announced on Friday that his committee is probing Walz's ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), focusing on what Comer describes as "longstanding connections" that could make Walz vulnerable to Chinese influence.
The inquiry, which Comer detailed in a letter to FBI Director Christopher Wray, centers on Walz's interactions with Chinese entities and officials over several decades. "It has come to the Committee's attention that Governor Walz has longstanding connections to CCP-connected entities and officials that make him susceptible to the Party's strategy of elite capture," Comer wrote.
He emphasized the need to examine whether Walz's relationships with these entities align with the CCP's broader strategy to co-opt influential figures in the U.S. to advance China's interests.
Walz's history with China is well-documented. Before entering politics, he spent a year teaching English in Foshan, China, shortly after the Tiananmen Square massacre. He later organized educational trips to China for American high school students, an initiative that continued for nearly a decade. Walz has traveled to China approximately 30 times, including on his honeymoon, and his wife, Gwen Walz, has also been actively involved in fostering educational exchanges with China.
Despite these deep ties, Walz has maintained positions that do not necessarily align with Chinese government interests. As a member of Congress, he met with Tibetan leaders and Chinese dissidents and co-sponsored the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act in 2017. This act, which sought to address human rights abuses in Hong Kong, was praised by advocates such as Jeffrey Ngo of the Hong Kong Democracy Council, who credited its passage to Walz's early support.
However, Comer's investigation appears to focus less on Walz's legislative record and more on his personal and professional connections to China. The inquiry specifically seeks documents from the FBI regarding any Chinese entities or individuals Walz may have engaged with and any warnings or guidance the FBI may have provided to him about the risks of engaging with the CCP.
One of the key points raised by Comer is a 1993 trip to China, organized during Walz's teaching days, which was reportedly funded by the Chinese government. Comer also noted that Walz was a fellow at the Macau Polytechnic University, a state-run institution, during his time in Congress and that he headlined the 27th National Convention for the U.S.-China Peoples Friendship Association in Minnesota in 2019.
Walz's engagement with China has come under increased scrutiny, particularly from conservative circles, since his nomination as Harris's running mate. Former President Donald Trump, who has made confronting China a central theme of his political agenda, has intensified criticism of U.S. politicians who advocate for cooperation with China.
This sentiment is echoed by Comer, who stated, "The CCP has sought to destroy the United States through coordinated influence and infiltration campaigns that target every aspect of American life, including our own elected officials."
Walz, however, has expressed a more nuanced view of U.S.-China relations. In a 2016 interview, he remarked, "I don't fall into the category that China necessarily needs to be an adversarial relationship," adding that he applauds the accomplishments of the Chinese people while recognizing the need to address the government's human rights violations.
This investigation by the House Oversight Committee is likely to add fuel to the already charged political environment, as Republicans seek to draw a sharp contrast between their approach to China and that of the Biden administration. Walz's ties to China could become a focal point in the upcoming election, particularly as the U.S.-China relationship remains a critical issue on the global stage.
As the investigation unfolds, it remains to be seen how it will impact Walz's political future and the broader discourse on U.S.-China relations. The deadline for the FBI to submit relevant documents, as set by Comer, is August 30, signaling that this issue will continue to play a significant role in the political narrative in the coming months.
