During @SenMcConnell's ongoing health crisis, his wife, former Transportation Secretary @ElaineChao, was meeting with CCP officials in China.
Her reasoning for not returning sooner? “The Senator’s health did not warrant an immediate return to the U.S.”
🧵
Who did Chao meet with during her June trip? Chinese state news & university records indicate three public meetings:
• 6/12: Shanghai Jiao Tong University – an institution that boasts a hall named after her late mother & houses a military-tied naval architecture program.
• 6/16: Wu Ken, President of Chinese People’s Institute of Foreign Affairs (CPIFA) - a designated “United Front” group by Congress.
• 6/17: Chinese Vice President Han Zheng – recently served on the Politburo Standing Committee
While on @SeanStations I discussed this with @jasoninthehouse. 👇
This news isn’t shocking to us at the @Govt_Acct_Inst. I documented the McConnell-Chao family’s ties to Beijing in my 2018 book 'Secret Empires.'
Foremost Group, owned by Chao’s family, has received CCP funding since McConnell, Chao, and her father met with the China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) in 1993.
My research proves Foremost Group’s dependence on the CCP:
• Chinese naval yards built their ships,
• State banks financed construction & operations at favorable rates, and
• Shipping & crew contracts were provided.
This is a textbook example of “elite capture”, where high profile US officials become financially bound to the Chinese government.
The timing of Chao’s visit and lack of urgency to return should raise concern.
-END-
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