October 28, 2024
In a story that has shocked Minnesota politics, The Daily Mail reported Monday that Minnesota Governor Tim Walz allegedly had a romantic relationship with the daughter of a high-ranking Chinese Communist Party official during his 1989 teaching stint in China. According to the report, Walz, who was teaching in China as part of a nonprofit program, became involved in a secret affair with Jenna Wang, then a 24-year-old English teacher. Wang, who came forward with the story, claims the relationship was intense and concealed due to her family’s ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
Wang described their connection as “intimate and intense” but acknowledged the challenges they faced due to her father’s influential position within the CCP. “Tim was very handsome. I loved his eyes and his big mouth,” Wang told The Daily Mail. Their connection grew as they shared tea, conversations, and music by British singer George Michael in private, but the couple refrained from showing affection publicly.
The Secret Relationship and Its Constraints
Wang detailed the social barriers they encountered, explaining that her father would have “disowned” her if he had known she was romantically involved with a Westerner. “I could never stay overnight because of the social conventions,” she explained. “It was very repressive. Couples walked around the city like robots.” Despite these restrictions, Wang said that Walz would regularly buy her gifts and that their relationship progressed behind closed doors.
The pair allegedly met while Walz was teaching at No. 1 High School in Foshan, Guangdong Province, through WorldTeach, a nonprofit organization dedicated to international education. Wang was teaching English at a nearby school, and their connection was reportedly sparked by a mutual appreciation for language and culture. “We talked for hours and hours, we stayed in bed, we had sex,” Wang recounted, describing the romance that she thought would lead to marriage and a future together in the United States.
Dreams of a Future Together
According to Wang, her relationship with Walz led her to believe that he intended to marry her and take her back to the United States. She claims that on a vacation to Hainan Island, she confronted him about their future, hoping he would affirm his commitment. The report, however, does not clarify how Walz responded or if the relationship continued after the conclusion of his teaching term.
Walz has not publicly commented on the claims, and representatives for his office did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Monday.
A Look at Political Ties and Security Concerns
This report has raised questions about Walz’s ties to China and the potential implications of his past relationship with a CCP official’s daughter. The story comes at a time when political and business ties between U.S. officials and China are increasingly scrutinized, especially with bipartisan concerns about national security.
The Daily Mail’s report has yet to be verified by other sources, and it remains unclear how, if at all, this alleged relationship may impact Walz’s current political standing or future ambitions. As Minnesota’s governor, Walz has maintained a relatively moderate position within the Democratic Party, focusing primarily on domestic issues. However, this resurfacing of his personal history in China adds a layer of intrigue to his profile, especially as U.S.-China relations remain strained over economic and security concerns.
