A former key aide to New York Governor Kathy Hochul is garnering attention due to her family’s connections to Chinese state media. Fang Xiaozhan, who goes by Elaine, is the Chief of Staff for the Scott Stringer campaign and has been involved in Democratic politics in New York for over a decade. She previously served as Hochul’s Director of Asia Affairs from October 2021 until November 2023, and her family background is particularly noteworthy.
Fang’s father is a Chinese journalist linked to various positions, including leadership roles in the Chinese Communist Party’s educational and propaganda sectors. Her LinkedIn profile notes that since last August, she has received over $120,000 in payments from the Stringer campaign, which did not comment on these allegations.
In a 2021 press release from the Communications Research Center at Hong Kong City University, she was highlighted as a prominent Asian American figure in state government. The announcement included endorsements from her former professors, emphasizing her family’s deep roots in journalism.
Fang’s father, Dongsheng, confirmed to reporters that while he hadn’t directly influenced her career choices, he acknowledged an implicit impact. He has visited universities, sharing his experiences in launching Huasheng Monthly, one of the early online news platforms in China.
Before entering state government in 2014, Fang worked as the “Chief Reporter” for Ming Pao Daily News. She also has connections to think tanks concerned about media freedom, which have raised alarms about potential Chinese government influence over overseas Chinese media outlets.
This isn’t the first time a family member has had ties to state media. Her father held the position of president and editor-in-chief for a New York-based Chinese publication, identified by the U.S. State Department as state-backed propaganda during the Trump administration.
Concerns about the family’s connections to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) have been voiced by analysts. Fang’s grandfather, who played a significant role in state media since the 1930s, and her uncle, who has held various positions in Chinese agriculture and finance, add to this scrutiny.
During her time in Hochul’s administration, Fang participated in events organized by the Chinese Consulate in New York, underlining her connections to influential Chinese organizations. Such events aim to promote not only unity with Taiwan but also the interests of China itself—which raises eyebrows regarding her role in local politics.
In 2021, Hochul acknowledged Fang in a public event, emphasizing her contributions. Analysts express that her presence in political roles could pose a risk of CCP influence in U.S. electoral politics.
Recently, the Chinese Consul General hosted a ceremony to celebrate the 74th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China, further illustrating ongoing connections. Hochul’s office has previously faced criticism concerning foreign influence, particularly after a vice-chief of staff was charged with serious offenses, including immigration fraud.
In light of these connections, observers stress the importance of scrutinizing candidates like Fang, arguing that affiliations with state-controlled media should disqualify individuals from political positions in the U.S. However, attempts to reach Fang and Hochul’s office for comments on this matter have gone unanswered.
