A recently uncovered report reveals that Ron Busby, a prominent ally of Vice President Kamala Harris and president of the U.S. Black Chambers, is under scrutiny for his multiple meetings with Chinese Communist Party (CCP) officials during a business trip to China in 2017. These meetings have sparked concerns regarding the nature of Busby’s interactions with Chinese authorities and what this could mean for the Biden-Harris administration, particularly in light of Harris’s previous commendation of Busby as an “extraordinary leader” known for his “courageous leadership.”
Busby’s 10-day trip to China included visits to Beijing, Shanghai, and Xi’an as part of a delegation called the “New Majority Alliance.” This group, which comprised New York government officials and business leaders, sought to strengthen business and cultural connections between the United States and China. The trip received backing from the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in New York, an organization that has been linked to efforts to influence U.S. state and local leaders, according to a 2022 report from the U.S. Director of National Intelligence (DNI).
During his visit, Busby highlighted his goal to “spread the voice of Black businesses” and promote collaboration among the U.S., China, and Africa. Reflecting on the trip afterward, he stated, “Collectively, all three continents can grow, and they’re very excited as well as we are.” His delegation engaged with several high-ranking Chinese officials, including Li Yuan, the Vice Mayor of Xi’an, and Chen Xiangming, Secretary of Shanghai Songjiang District, as reported by Fox News Digital.
Busby’s activities in China have drawn significant criticism, especially due to his connection with the People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries—a group that former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has cautioned is known for trying to sway U.S. local leaders in favor of CCP interests. The U.S. has consistently flagged this association for its involvement in China’s strategic outreach to American policymakers.
Photos from Busby’s trip, which he shared on social media, show him interacting with Chinese officials against a backdrop of CCP symbols, raising further questions about the nature of these meetings. His delegation included notable figures like Rose Rodriguez, who was then-Governor Andrew Cuomo’s chief diversity officer, and was sponsored by the New York in China Center, an organization that has long facilitated exchanges between New York and China.
These developments come at a delicate moment for the Harris campaign, which is already dealing with criticism over the vice president’s choice of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate. Walz has faced similar accusations regarding his longstanding connections to Chinese entities, which has intensified concerns that the Biden-Harris administration may be too friendly with China.
The scrutiny surrounding Busby’s trip to China is likely to remain a contentious issue as the Harris campaign addresses these challenges. Critics contend that the trip highlights potential weaknesses in the administration’s approach to foreign relations.
For more information, see the full report from Fox News Digital and the statements from the U.S. Director of National Intelligence.
