Reports indicate that members of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) have infiltrated a US-based nonprofit organization linked with a mayor’s administration on the East Coast.
The Boston Urban Forum, which claims to be “dedicated to fostering community cohesion and development,” holds public meetings monthly at Boston City Hall.
According to findings by a news outlet, this forum invites officials and specialists from various domains—politics, academia, and business—to discuss local government policies and issues affecting residents. Notably, it has been suggested that CCP members have spoken at about half of these meetings.
A translation of a government report revealed that since the Boston Urban Forum (BUF) was established in 2024, out of ten events held at City Hall, at least eight had moderators or guest speakers connected to the CCP.
The BUF’s website states that the monthly gathering was formed “with support from the city of Boston.” Further, co-founder Gary Yu assisted in Boston Mayor Michelle Wu’s campaign in 2020, serving as an Asian Community Liaison Director, a role aimed at empowering Asian communities politically.
Previous reports highlighted that Yu significantly contributed to Wu’s campaign, raising over $300,000. It’s also noted that he is officially linked with various overseas Chinese federations, which have raised concerns about their potential influence among the Chinese community abroad.
Boston is engaged in a “sister city” program with Hangzhou in Zhejiang Province. Yu was acknowledged for proposing Boston-Hangzhou Day, which was well-received by Mayor Wu.
She had previously recognized the Boston Urban Forum for its community contributions, and the city continues to be identified as a sponsor.
Investigative journalist Ina Mitchell has stated, “China has installed hundreds of CCP proxies in all major cities across the United States.” She elaborated, describing these proxies as leaders who feign a commitment to community interests while masking their true loyalty to China.
Mitchell emphasized that these Chinese representatives often employ measures like forums and social events to create opportunities for collaboration with US lawmakers and industry leaders.
At a deeper level, she explained that the ultimate goal seems to be swaying lawmakers toward pro-China policies while shaping public opinion favorably towards China.
It has also been noted that events like this provide a platform for blending entertainment with ideological messaging aimed at gaining favor for CCP proxies in the U.S.
Interestingly, attempts to reach out to Wu, Yu, and the Boston Urban Forum for comments have gone unanswered.
