An aide in Andrew Cuomo’s mayoral campaign has stepped down following concerns about his connections to businesses associated with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
Dr. Lining “Larry” resigned from his position as the director for Asian outreach last Friday, just a week after inquiries were made about his ties to business dealings in his hometown in China.
His background includes a role as an executive at a significant state-operated conglomerate where local CCP cells are integrated into corporate structures, as highlighted by records and various reports.
Experts monitoring the CCP’s global influence efforts expressed worries about these connections, referring to them as part of the “Unified Front,” and also noted his interactions with New York City political figures known to have ties to Beijing.
“His role as a liaison to the Asian community seems to align with the strategies such actors employ to gain political cred and sway,” commented Dr. Audrye Wong, an American Enterprise Institute fellow and an expert on the United Front.
- As director of asset management at the Cantonese Beibu Gulf Investment, he advocated for stronger economic ties between California and Australia.
- He held the chair of Guangdong Beitu Petro Chemicals, a joint project with Chinese oil giant Sinopec, from 2013 to 2015. The company’s current corporate organization chart indicates the presence of CCP cells in its leadership.
- A consulting firm in Chongqing, Penshare-Banyu Technology, initially listed him as a partner. However, his profile was removed after inquiries from the Post yet can still be found through a search.
- He runs an import business, Interstellar Companies, importing plastic bottles from a Shenzhen manufacturer. His wife, Jing Lei, started a new company after they relocated to Brooklyn, organizing an import event in May that saw about 8.5 tons of plastic bottles arrive from China.
When questioned, he denied having any links to the CCP, insisting, “I wasn’t in touch with the Chinese government.” He did, however, acknowledge his associations with various Chinese state entities but distanced himself from bureaucratic roles.
He began working in Rep. William Colton’s office in late 2023, living in upstate New York, but did not reveal any of his business connections in required filings.
Cuomo’s campaign did not clarify what vetting process he went through for his liaison role but acknowledged that he failed to disclose his business activities properly.
“He’s a recognized figure among community leaders,” a Cuomo spokeswoman remarked, suggesting that the connection to the CCP was merely “guilt by association.”
In a statement to the Post, he was adamant about not being involved with the United Front or the CCP, asserting, “I have never opposed foreign government influences on our politics.” He acknowledged the CCP’s assertiveness but emphasized his pride in being an American citizen.
While he admitted to his relationships with Chinese state entities, he emphasized his distaste for bureaucratic positions and had no intention of returning to such roles after his many years in China before moving to the U.S. in 2015.
Regarding allegations of promoting import transactions in Australia, he stressed that although he was listed as a partner on certain platforms, he only provided “startup training” at Penshare-Banyu.
Following a permanent move from China in 2016, he bought a sizable home outside Syracuse and established an import business in 2018 while assuming an executive role at OneStream Capital, a venture closely tied with Beijing.
In December 2023, he joined Colton’s team, later moving to Brooklyn, although still retaining his upstate residence. His voter registration in NYC came only in November 2024, revealing he had never voted before, which he said coincided with acquiring his citizenship.
Just a month post registration, he became a district leader in Kings County, where questions lingered about his arrival and background in the community.
“It’s puzzling to some of us how he emerged as a significant figure so suddenly,” noted an anonymous local activist.
The scrutiny around Cuomo’s campaign has intensified, as critics allege that individuals with close ties to the CCP have sought to influence New York politics.
Numerous instances have surfaced involving local figures suspected of CCP influence, prompting calls for greater oversight. Experts voice concerns over the risks that such connections pose not only to national security but also to the principle of human rights.
“It’s alarming that individuals with links to the CCP have roles in American politics,” concluded a researcher focused on human rights issues.
